Step and Merit Increases
The very first page of the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget (TMRB) states that one of the overarching themes is: “Funding annual step and merit increases as well as planned changes to the Town’s classification and compensation pay plan to ensure the organization can continue to attract and retain quality employees.”
On page v of the TMRB it states: “As a service-based organization, recruiting and retaining top talent is foundational to the Town’s ability to provide quality public services. As such, the Town is finalizing a comprehensive classification and compensation study that will adjust employee pay grades to remain competitive. The Recommended Budget includes $1.3 million in the General Fund set aside for the implementation of the final pay plan, which is expected to be brought before Council in two pieces beginning in May. The budget also includes funds to continue normal step increases and merit adjustments for all eligible Town employees.”
Town will pay 75% of employee health insurance premiums
TAs far as employee health insurance is concerned: “the Town will not need to increase employee-only health premiums for FY 2022/23 for the third year in a row, an anomaly in the health benefit arena today. Dependent premiums are moving slowly to a universal 75 percent contribution by the Town, a process that will conclude next fiscal year.”
It’s mind-boggling
Remember that during the recent pandemic, no Oro Valley employee was furloughed or had reduced hours. Wow! A new pay increase, along with the usual step and merit increases, plus no increase in insurance premiums, and dependent care being accomplished with the Town covering 75% of the cost. Yet the Community Center remains ADA non-compliant and drinking water/potable is utilized on two parks and a 9-hole golf course.
Apparently, we taxpayers are here to serve the Town employees instead of the employees serving the residents of the Town.
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Mike Zinkin and his wife have lived in Oro Valley since 1998. He served on the Oro Valley Development Review Board from 2005-2009, the Board of Adjustment from 2011-2012, and the Town Council from 2012-2016. He was named a Fellow for the National League of Cities. He was a member of the NLC Steering Committee for Community and Economic Development and a member of the Arizona League of Cities Budget and Economic Development Committee. He was an Air Traffic Controller for 30 years. Mike has a Bachelor’s degree in history and government from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education from California State University, Northridge.
