On Tuesday, Human Resources Director Katie Callan and Budget Director Jennie Knapp presented the Mayor and Council with their 2025 pay recommendations, which included a 3% increase in the city’s general employee pay table and a reclassification of three transportation positions. Several existing seasonal incentives, they added, would also continue next summer.
“There are essentially two recommendations – to bump the pay tables 3% and to regrade these three positions …,” Callan explained. “The incentives do not require your approval at this time. They’re budgeted for FY25 and they will be included for your approval in the FY26 budget.”
Callan told council members this week that staff had recommended a 3% increase in the city’s pay table, an effort she said would benefit part-time and seasonal employees. She said the increase would come at a cost of $16,000 for half the year.
“Starting out, we would like to request that we add 3% to the minimum and maximum of the general employee pay tables,” she said. “This would essentially provide a 3% [cost-of-living adjustment] for our part-time and seasonal staff who are paid at grade ‘minimum.’ This would help us to remain competitive and keep pace with the external market as we head into this new season.”
Callan said staff also recommended the city reclassify three positions within the transportation department – bus drivers, bus supervisors and part-time transportation maintenance technicians. In doing so, officials said the hourly pay would exceed that of the city’s competitors, including Shore Transit and Rehoboth Transit.
“The grade change would go to $20.15 when it’s not in season,” Callan explained. “When it’s in season, they get bumped to $21.”
By all means, give the DEI Department a raise while the rest of the world is eliminating them!