The Grants Pass City Council moved to address pay equity issues and offer a retroactive Cost of Living Adjustment of about 3% with further deliberation scheduled for the Compensation and Classification Plan.
Councilman Seth Benham made the motion, and it passed 5-2. The Non-Bargaining Employee Compensation and Classification Plan was presented by taskforce recommending it take retroactive effect July 1st, 2025.
The taskforce said the plan would support fiscal stability, balancing financial health and complying with Oregon Pay Equity law while hiring quality employees. There would be an increase of max vacation accrual from 200 hours to 370 hours to match analyzed averages.
The presented cost was budgeted at just shy of $1.3 million, with $286,000 coming from the general fund. Following a grid system, the plan would place individuals based on experience and adjust based on pay equity.
5 positions would be reclassified: the Water Distribution Supervisor, GIS Supervisor, Utility Billing Manager, Information Technology Director, and the Chief Financial Officer.
The taskforce told the council this plan is an investment, and that while the cost is significant, it would yield dividends in the future.
Following the motion and the agenda review which included a request of additional information on SB48 and a potential repeat offender removal ordinance, the board considered a motion for the Bikeways and Walkways Committee regarding updates to Dollar Mountain for information and connection purposes.
Pending further information, a motion for discussion at a later workshop passed 5-2.
