Management, staff receive two percent raises

Birmingham city commissioners unanimously approved a two percent raise for all department heads and non-union staff members at their meeting on Monday, October 29, along with one-time performance-based merit adjustments, and adjustments to benefit packages.

The compensation recommendations for salary table adjustments for full and part-time employees came from the city's human resources department.

City manager Joe Valentine explained it was an annual adjustment. He said there currently are 10 department heads and 23 other staff. The resolution allowed for merit adjustments based on performance. When asked if it was a bonus, he said no, but it could be interpreted as such, “as it is a one time lump sum based on performance.”

In addition, commissioners approved increasing the city contribution for 401(a) plans from nine percent to 9.5 percent, “to be a little more competitive,” Valentine said.

Additional employee health care cost sharing measures, effective January 1, 2019, were approved, making it the same as approved union employee cost sharing.

“This is a no-brain win,” said commissioner Carroll DeWeese.