(a) Entrance Salary Rates.
(1) Starting rate on initial employment. Original appointment to any position shall be made within the beginning range. Upon recommendation of the Department Head, the City Manager may approve initial compensation at a rate within the beginning range when the needs of the service make such action necessary, provided that any such exception is based on the outstanding and unusual character of the employee's experience and ability over and above the minimum qualifications specified for the class. Original appointment of Department Heads, Finance Director or City Manager may be at a rate within the beginning range depending upon the employee's experience and ability over and above the minimum requirements for the position.
(2) Starting rate on return to duty. When an employee returns to duty in the same class or position after a separation from the City service of not more than one year (1 year), which separation was not due to discreditable circumstances, such employee shall receive the rate in the compensation schedule corresponding to the rate received at the time of separation and shall subsequently serve thereat for such period of time as is normally required for advancement within the schedule
(3) Starting rate on return from military service. Any employee who leaves or has left the City service to enter the active service of the armed forces of the United States, and who subsequently is reinstated to a position previously held, shall be entitled to receive a compensation at the rate applicable had not the service with the City been interrupted by service in the armed forces.
(4) Starting rate in new position. Whenever an employee is assigned to duty in a position not previously held and such change is not in the nature of a promotion, the employee shall be entitled to the entrance rate in the schedule established for such position or other rate within the applicable schedule by reason of crediting in the new position with such prior service that is found to meet the following conditions: the character and nature of the duties of the position to which the employee was assigned are similar to those of the new position; the service in the former position provided experience valuable to the performance of the new position.
(5) Rate of pay on promotion. In any case where an employee is promoted to a class with a higher compensation schedule, the entrance rate shall be the employee's current rate of pay during the 60 day probationary period. Subsequent advancement within the schedule will be on the same basis as described in subsection (b) hereof.
(b) Advancement within Compensation Schedule for Administrative, Technical and Advanced Clerical Positions.
(1) At the completion of six months (6 months) and thereafter at yearly intervals on January 1, a full-time employee shall be eligible for advancement to a higher rate within the appropriate salary level of the position occupied by the employee on the first (1st) day of the next succeeding pay period; except that the above shall not be construed to limit the movement by an employee at a rate deemed appropriate by the City Council upon recommendation by the City Manager.
The City Manager may perform an evaluation at any time for employees whose yearly evaluation does not result in an increased rate. Upon completion of an acceptable evaluation, the City Manager may recommend to City Council thereafter an increase in the rate of pay. The recommendation shall when practical, be in writing and the advancement based on a written performance evaluation of the employee.
(2) Advancement at the salary level shall be in increments of 4 percent or less and no employee shall be eligible for advancement unless recommended for an increase by the Department Head concerned or the City Manager, except in those instances of employees who report to the City Council. Department Heads may progress at a rate approved by City Council upon recommendation of the City Manager. Council shall establish the rates of pay for the City Manager, Finance Director, Law Director, Assistant Law Director and Clerk of Council by a letter signed by the Mayor and filed with the Finance Director.
(3) Any permanent part-time employee, regularly employed on a continuing work schedule, shall be evaluated by January 1 of each year succeeding the employee's first date of employment to be eligible for advancement within the schedule; except that the above shall not be construed to limit the City Manager to move an employee through the compensation schedule at a rate deemed appropriate. Advancement will be on the first day of the next succeeding pay period.
(4) The City Manager, with City Council approval, may grant an increase of up to 4 percent of the yearly rate of pay for achievement by an employee of exceptional performance. The duration of the increase shall not exceed one year. At the discretion of the City Manager, the top performance rate may be given in one sum at a time deemed appropriate by the City Manager.
(5) Employees in Levels I through VIII may receive an inflationary rate increase upon consultation by the City Manager with the City Council as to the maximum amount of percentage that may be granted for inflation. Employees in Levels IX and X and employees reporting to the Building Commissioner shall receive the annual inflationary rate increase granted other clerical positions as a result of collective bargaining agreements.
(Ord. 8923-12. Passed 2-21-12; Ord. 018-24. Passed 3-18-24.)
(c) Requirements as to Continuity of Service. Service requirements for advancement within compensation schedules and for other purposes as specified in this Chapter shall have the implication of continuous service, which means employment in the City service without break or interruption. Leaves of absence with pay and leaves without pay of less than thirty days shall not interrupt continuous service or be deducted therefrom. Absences on leave without pay in excess of thirty days, except for extended service with the armed services of the United States, shall be deducted in computing total service but shall not serve to interrupt continuous service. In case of repeated one-day absence without leave, the City Manager may consider the service of the employee interrupted and shall have the record of the employee show the same.
(Ord. 5641-86. Passed 5-19-86; Ord. 6254-91. Passed 9-16-91)