(a) Original appointment to any position shall normally be made at the minimum rate and advancement from the minimum rate shall be by successive steps.
(b) Upon recommendation from a department head and/or the Director of Employee Relations, the City Manager may approve initial compensation for a position at a rate higher than the minimum rate. Such exception shall be based on:
(1) The outstanding and unusual nature of the employee's experience and ability;
(2) Conditions of extreme difficulty in recruiting at the entrance rate; or
(3) Promotion to the position from another position where an approximate two and one-half percent increase would not result in placement at the entry level.
(c) Each employee shall be officially advised by the Director of Employee Relations at the time of appointment or promotion of his or her pay rate and the pay range to which his or her job classification is assigned. When an employee reaches the maximum rate in his or her job classification, he or she should not expect further pay increases unless:
(1) His or her position is reclassified;
(2) He or she is promoted to a higher classification; or
(3) A general increase is granted to all employees.
(Ord. 14-78. Passed 11-28-78.)