1 Compensation Plan for the City of Salinas Department Directors
(Revised October 22, 2024)
SECTION 1 - PREAMBLE
The Department Directors’ Compensation Plan has been developed and approved in recognition of the ir “at-will” nature of employment. The Plan is comprehensive and is designed to be competitive in the senior management recruitment and retention environment in which the directors are recruited, hired, and retained. The base salary and benefits provided are designed to recognize the unique characteristics associated with director service to the residents of Salinas.
This Plan applies to any Departm ent Director or Assistant Chief without a written employment agreement with the City of Salinas, as shown in Appendix A.
SECTION 2 - PAY RATES AND PRACTICES
A. Salary Schedule
Effective for the term of this Compensation Plan, base salaries will be increased as follows:
1. The salary schedule is revised as shown at Appendix A, to address compaction, effective in the first full payroll period following Council approval of this Compensation Plan.
2. Six percent (6%) effective in the first full pay period following Council approval of this Compensation Plan or in the first full payroll period of January 2025, whichever is later.
3. Three percent (3%) effective in the first full pay period of January 2026.
B. Salary Adjustments
The City Manager may award merit step increases to Department Directors based on the director’s annual performance evaluation.
SECTION 3 - BENEFITS
A. Health, Dental, and Vision Plan
1. The City will contribute a flat dollar amount toward monthly health benefits premiums for Department Directors equal to 95% of the premium for the level of coverag e the employee has selected, up to 95% of the PERS Platinum Plan premium.
2. Effective beginning in the first full pay period of January 2025, the City will contribute
2 toward monthly health benefits premiums in an amount equal to 95% of the premium for the level of coverage the employee has selected, up to 90% of the PERS Platinum health plan premium.
3. The employee shall pay for premium costs above the City contribution through payroll deductions.
4. The City will continue to pay the full amount of premiums for dental and vision plans.
B. Long Term Disability
The City shall contribute to the City sponsored Long Term Disability Plan the full cost of the 60% - No maximum monthly benefit program.
C. Life Insurance
The City shall provide term life insurance in an amount of $150,000 to each Department Director.
D. Bilingual Premium
Two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per month shall be paid to Department Directors who routinely and consistently speak and use a language other than English in the course of his/her job duties , as determined by the City Manager; this bilingual premium is grandfathered for Department Directors receiving such premium before January 1, 2017 .
A Department Director who is awarded a bilingual premium on or after January 1, 2017, will be paid $75 per pay period. This section is subject to administrative discretion.
E. Uniform Allowance
The City shall pay one thousand two hundred dollars ($1,200) per calendar year to the Fire Chief, Chief of Police, and Assistant Chiefs of Police for uniform replacement and maintenance.
F. Deferred Compensation & Retirement Savings Plans
Department Directors shall be provided a City paid contribution to a deferred compensation plan (under Internal Revenue Code section 457) or a retirement savings plan (under Internal Revenue Code section 401(a)) based on months of service with the City. The payment to either plan will be provided on a biweekly basis.
Maximum contribution rates are based on months of regular employment with the City, in accordance with the following schedule.
3 Months Pay Period Annual
0-12 110.59 2,875.23
13-24 221.15 5,749.86
25-36 331.73 8,625.07
37-48 442.30 11,499.70
49-60 552.88 14,374.93
61-72 663.47 17,250.14
73-84 774.03 20,124.77
85+ 884.62 23,000.00
The Department Director’s participation in either the 457 or 401(a) plan shall be governed by the specific regulations for that plan.
G. Retirement Benefits
1. Classic Employees
Effective for the term of this Compensation Plan, employees enrolled in the California State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) shall pay seven percent (7%) as the employee-paid contribution, except that any classic members in the position of the Fire Chief, Chief of Police, and Assistant Chief of Police shall pay nine percent (9%) as the employee-paid contribution.
2. New Members
Department Directors who are defined as “new members” under the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (“PEPRA”) will contribute 50% of the normal cost of his/her benefit as determined by CalPERS.
H. Auto Allowance
The City shall pay a monthly automobile allowance of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) to each Department Director unless the Director is assigned a City vehicle for his/her use.
I. Severance
Department Directors may be terminated at will , in the discretion of the City Manager.
Upon termination, Department Directors shall be eligible for one (1) month of base salary severance for each full year of employment with the City of Salinas, up to a maximum of six (6) months of salary . The severance benefit shall not be provided to Department Directors who voluntarily resign or are separated from City employment “for cause.”
4 SECTION 4 - LEAVE PROVISIONS
A. Holidays (8 hours per day)
1. Fixed Holidays Date
New Year's Day January 1
Martin Luther King Third Monday in January
Lincoln's Birthday February 12
Presidents Day Third Monday in February
Cesar Chavez Day March 31
Memorial Day Last Monday in May
Juneteenth June 19
Independence Day July 4th
Labor Day First Monday in September
Veterans Day November 11
Thanksgiving Day Fourth Thursday in November
Friday after Thanksgiving Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve December 24
Christmas Day December 25
2. Every day appointed by the President or Governor for a public day of mourning, Thanksgiving, or holiday, when ratified by the Mayor or the Salinas City Council.
B. Annual Leave
1. Annual Leave shall be as provided in the Personnel Manual.
2. Annual Leave will accrue incrementally over the course of a year as provided below.
1st through 5th year 296 hours per year
6th through 10th year 336 hours per year
11th through 15th year 352 hours per year
16th through 17th year 360 hours per year
18th through 19th year 368 hours per year
20th through 24th year 376 hours per year
25th through retirement 384 hours per year
The maximum annual leave accrual cap per employee shall be 768 hours. An employee who reaches the maximum annual leave accrual cap will not accrue additional annual leave until the annual leave balance is below the maximum accrual cap. Employees may cash out up to 120 hours of accrued annual leave in February, provided that the employee has used at least 80 hours of annual leave in the prior calendar year; any additional accrued unused annual leave will be paid at separation.
5 C. Bereavement Leave
Department Directors shall be entitled to four (4) days of leave with pay , plus one unpaid day, for a death in the family. Up to five (5) days of leave with pay may be authorized to a Department Director who travels out of the state to attend the funeral of the deceased family member. All provisions of the Personnel Manual regarding Bereavement Leave shall apply.
Family member includes:
Husband Mother-in-Law Grandchild
Wife Father-in-Law Step-Mother-in-Law
Father Sister-in-Law Step Father-in-Law
Mother Brother-in-Law Step Brother/Sister
Child Legal Guardian Aunt
Brother Step-Child Uncle
Sister Step-Father Registered Domestic Partner
Grandparent Step-Mother
D. Family & Medical Leave
In accordance with the California Family Rights Act and the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act, the City of Salinas Family & Medical Leave Policy is detailed in the Administrative Memorandum 94-1, as amended.
SECTION 5 - TERM
The term of this Compensation Plan shall commence upon Council approval, and shall continue in force until amended.
6 APPENDIX A
October 28, 2024
January 6, 2025
Benefit
Group Grade Position
Step 1
Hourly
Step 1
Monthly
Step 2
Hourly
Step 2
Monthly
Step 3
Hourly
Step 3
Monthly
Step 4
Hourly
Step 4
Monthly
Step 5
Hourly
Step 5
Monthly
Step 6
Hourly
Step 6
Monthly
14 14.1013 Chief of Police 92.1410 15,971 96.7510 16,770 101.5919 17,609 106.6643 18,488 112.0029 19,414 117.6031 20,385 14 14.1019 Public Works Director 79.2857 13,743 83.2501 14,430 87.4126 15,152 91.7833 15,909 96.3725 16,705 101.1911 17,540 Benefit
Group Grade Position
Step 1
Hourly
Step 1
Monthly
Step 2
Hourly
Step 2
Monthly
Step 3
Hourly
Step 3
Monthly
Step 4
Hourly
Step 4
Monthly
Step 5
Hourly
Step 5
Monthly
Step 6
Hourly
Step 6
Monthly
14 14.1014 Assistant Chief of Police 92.1410 15,971 96.7510 16,770 101.5919 17,609 106.6643 18,488 112.0029 19,414 117.6031 20,385 14 14.1012 Assistant City Manager 99.6582 17,274 104.6447 18,138 109.8795 19,046 115.3706 19,998 121.1418 20,998 127.1988 22,048 14 14.1013 Chief of Police 97.6695 16,929 102.5561 17,776 107.6874 18,666 113.0642 19,598 118.7231 20,579 124.6593 21,608 14 14.1022 Community Development Dir 78.0791 13,534 81.9859 14,211 86.0787 14,920 90.3874 15,667 94.9043 16,450 99.6495 17,273 14 14.1025 Finance Director 76.5638 13,271 80.3912 13,934 84.4055 14,630 88.6281 15,362 93.0588 16,130 97.7118 16,937 14 14.1016 Fire Chief 93.5184 16,210 98.2004 17,021 103.1122 17,873 108.2682 18,766 113.6827 19,705 119.3667 20,690 14 14.1027 Human Resources Director 75.0775 13,013 78.8332 13,664 82.7754 14,348 86.9190 15,066 91.2634 15,819 95.8265 16,610 14 14.1028 Lib/Community Svc Dir 75.0775 13,013 78.8332 13,664 82.7754 14,348 86.9190 15,066 91.2634 15,819 95.8265 16,610 14 14.1019 Public Works Director 84.0428 14,567 88.2451 15,296 92.6574 16,061 97.2903 16,864 102.1549 17,707 107.2626 18,592