Consent Item 4j
STAFF REPORT
City Council Consent Item
DATE: June 16, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Siana Emmons, Human Resources Director
SUBJECT: Approve the Full-time Pay Rate Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025-26, Resolution 2025-19
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve the Full-time Pay Rate Schedule, by adopting Resolution 2025-19.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Annually, the City is required to adopt a schedule of positions and the related classifications and pay. As part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Full-Time Pay Rate Schedule adoption, several changes are being proposed and discussed below.
Building Inspector II:
On February 7, 2025, the City’s Building Inspector retired after fifteen years. On March 12, 2025, the City posted a recruitment to fill the vacant position. The recruitment yielded no qualified applicants. One of the factors contributing to the unsuccessful recruitment is that Fortuna’s salaries are not currently competitive compared with other local cities, and in some cases Fortuna’s salaries are as much as 37% to 27% lower than other local cities. In addition to non-competitive salaries, the City does not have a Building Inspector II classification, which would allow staff to move up the pay scale as skills and abilities increase. The City of Fortuna requires a qualified Building Inspector to ensure building safety, enforce building codes, maintain property values and protect public health and safety. For these reasons, staff is recommending Council approve the addition of a Building Inspector II classification to Step No. F40, to the City’s Full-time Pay Rate Schedule, which is included with this staff report as “Attachment A” to Resolution 2025-19, and as reviewed with your City Council at the June 2 Special Meeting.
Building Official:
In addition to the need for a qualified Building Inspector, Fortuna must have and retain a qualified Building Official. Fortuna’s current Building Official has been employed with the City since 2008 and is currently being paid 37% to 30% less than other local agencies. Staff is recommending a reclassification of this position from Step No. F52 to Step No. F54 . and as reviewed with your City Council at the June 2 Special Meeting.
Consent Item 4j
Senior Planner:
In response to HCD’s Letter of Inquiry the City Council authorized the allocation of a Senior Planner position to the FY 2025-26 budget. This is a new position within the City classification schedule. Staff is recommending placing the new Senior Planner position in Step No. F52 and as reviewed with your City Council at the June 2, Special Meeting. 34-Hour Work Week (effective 6-29-25):
As adopted by your City Council on May 19, 2024, and as outlined above, non-competitive salaries have impacted Fortuna’s ability to acquire and then retain qualified candidates. Lack of retention of qualified employees also impacts the City negatively in the loss of expertise, high costs of recruiting and hiring, service disruptions as well as impacting overall morale throughout the agency. To stem the flow of constant turnover in employees, as well as an effort to attract new employees, beginning the week of June 29, 2025, City departments excluding the Police Department, will transition to a 34-hour work week while being paid the same weekly wage. This means employees will work 8.5 hours Monday through Thursday and City offices will be closed on Fridays. A 34-hour work week can be a competitive advantage and attract and retain talent.
Contract Changes (effective 7-1-25):
A 3% increase effective July 1, 2025 per employee contracts for the City Manager, Finance Director, and City Clerk/HR Director. These contracts have previously come before your Council in 2024.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impacts associated with the Full-Time Classification and Pay Rate Schedule were incorporated into the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
Motion to approve the Full-time Pay Rate Schedule for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 by adopting Resolution 2025-19. Consent Agenda vote.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Resolution 2025-19, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fortuna Adopting the Full-time Classification and Pay Rate Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025-26 o Attachment “A” FY 2025-26 Full-Time Pay Rate Schedule