Cost Major Factor in City Council Employee Compensation and Classification Decision

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 presented to the council 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. ...Read more

City Council to Hear Compensation Presentation and Meet for Executive Sessions

The Grants Pass City Council will hear a non-bargaining compensation and classification report between executive sessions during Monday's workshop. After their first executive session, and following the report, the board will review their agenda and consider a motion for the Bikeways and Walkways Committee. The workshop will adjourn and lead into a final executive session. Monday's workshop will commence at 11:45 a.m. in the City Council Chambers, 101 NW A Street and will be streamed at www.grantspassoregon.gov. ...Read more

RCC Student Veteran Selected for National Leadership Institute

Christopher Stucke, a Navy veteran pursuing an associate degree at Rogue Community College has been selected to attend the Student Veterans of America Leadership Institute. This honor recognizes Stucke's commitment to leadership and service as he advances his education. The event will take place Oct. 15-19, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Stucke, 31, of Grants Pass, served 10 years in the Navy, leaving as a petty officer second class. He worked as a helicopter crew chief and aviation rescue swimmer. His crew participated in the aerial firefighting program in Southern California. Stucke began classes at RCC last fall, pursuing an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree with plans to transfer to the University of Oregon to study business. He is president of RCC's Student Veterans Organization (SVO), the RCC chapter of Student Veterans of America. ...Read more