Sean C. Morgan
The City Council approved raises and a new benefits package for the city’s non-represented employees on Sept. 24.
The new compensation package reflects the contract settlements with the city’s two bargaining units, Police Department employees and general employees. Non-represented employees include supervisors and certain non-supervisory positions.
Non-represented employees with the Police Department receive 1.5 percent increases to their salary schedules retroactive to July 1, followed by five additional 1.5-percent increases every six months through Jan. 1, 2016.
Non-represented employees throughout the rest of the city receive a 2-percent increase to their salary schedules, retroactive to July 1. They will receive a 2-percent increase again on July 1, 2014, 1.5-percent increase on July 1, 2015 and a 1.5-percent increase on Jan. 1, 2016.
The contracts with represented employees expire on June 30, 2016.
The raises, represented and non-represented, are offset by changes in how the city provides health insurance benefits.
The council’s decision creates health savings accounts for employees, and employees all move to high-deductible insurance plans. Deductibles will be $1,500 for coverage for single employees or $3,000 for families.
The employees will continue paying 5 percent of the insurance premium.
The city will contribute $1,250 for individual employees or $2,500 for employees who cover their families to the health savings accounts. Future increases in health insurance premiums will be deducted from future contributions to the health savings accounts.
The council ratified the general employees’ contract on Sept. 10 and the police employees’ contract on Aug. 13.
Voting unanimously to approve the compensation package were councilors Marybeth Angulo, Greg Mahler, Craig Fentiman, Mayor Jim Gourley and Bruce Hobbs.
Scott McKee Jr. and Dave Trask were absent.
In other business, the council:
n Recommended to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission approval of a liquor license for Hardeep Sraa, the new owner of Midway Grocery, to allow the sale of beer and wine to be carried out of the convenience store.
The OLCC lists no violations or complaints associated with other businesses, in Enumclaw, Wash., and Roseburg, owned by Sraa, said Police Chief Jeff Lynn. “We find no reason to recommend denial.”