In an effort to close the gap created when Northglenn had salary freezes, staff has proposed a 2 to 6 percent market adjustments for salaries in the 2014 budget. City Council reviewed the proposed budget during its Oct. 7 study session. At that time, Paula Jensen, management services director, went over a salary survey that compared the city’s salaries to those of nearby cities.

Staff proposes to adjust salaries by 2, 4 and 6 percent based on comparisons to salaries in other cities.

“If a position is 1 to 5 percent behind (the market) we are proposing a 2 percent increase to that salary range,” Jensen said. “If the position is 6 to 10 percent behind, we are proposing a 4 percent increase to that salary range. If the position is greater than 10 percent behind, we are proposing a 6 percent increase to that salary range.”

In total — if council approves the proposed 2014 budget — 23 employees will get a 6 percent market adjustment increase, at a cost of about $87,000 to the city; and 28 employees will get the 4 percent increase, at an approximate $70,000 cost. The employees getting the 2 percent increases will cost the city approximately $127,000.

Last year, the city gave market adjustment increases of as high as 3 percent across the board. The city has been trying to close the gap created in salaries in Northglenn compared to other cities during its three-year salary freeze.

“When we lose good staff there is a lot of cost for recruiting, evaluating and looking for new people and getting them trained,” said Ward II Leslie Carrico, adding that the cost of replacing staff who leave for better pay elsewhere may be more costly to the city than making market adjustments.

Employees also may also get merit increases on their hire anniversary date.

“The merit increase is based on the employer’s performance evaluation and if that evaluation is satisfactory,” Jensen said.

The police department personnel are proposed to get a two-step pay increase, ranging from 5 to 10 percent, once at the beginning of the year and again at mid-way in the year. This will cost the city approximately $126,000.

A public hearing on the proposed budget is tentatively set for Nov. 11, with a final vote by council possibly during its Dec. 9 meeting.