Litchfield Park staff receives 2% pay hike

By Kelly O’Sullivan
Twitter: @AzNewsmedia

City of Litchfield Park employees will receive a 2% cost of living adjustment retroactive to July 1, the beginning of the 2021 fiscal year, and some also may receive merit increases of up to 2%.

The City Council voted in June to include $131,400 for pay increases in a FY 2021 contingency fund until the city could determine how the COVID-19 pandemic would impact its finances.

“We’re through the first quarter ... I do believe our finances can sustain these compensation adjustments,” Finance Director Paige Peterson told the council during its regular meeting Oct. 21, recommending they move the money back into the city’s General Fund.

READ: Litchfield Park eases COVID-19 relief grant requirements

The council agreed, voting unanimously to move the money and free it up for raises.

The 2% COLA equals $65,000, which includes $55,000 for salaries plus employee-related expenses of $10,700, Ms. Peterson said.

The remaining $65,700 will be available for merit increases of up to 2% per employee. City Manager Bill Stephens said merit increases are not automatic; they are awarded if warranted based on employee performance.

The city has 36 full-time and 10 part-time employees who are eligible for both COLA and merit increases, Mr. Stephens said.  Seasonal, part-time employees are not eligible for either.

Mayor Thomas L. Schoaf said the City Council will vote at a later date on a potential merit increase for Mr. Stephens.

Kelly O’Sullivan can be reached at kosullivan@newszap.com or 760-963-1697.