DATE: DECEMBER 9, 2025
DEPARTMENT: HUMAN RESOURCES
FROM: MARINA HORTA-GALLEGOS, HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR TITLE: MODIFICATION TO THE CLASSIFICATION – SALARY SCHEDULE AND WORKFORCE ALLOCATION ADJUSTMENT RECOMMENDED MOTION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve a resolution to amend the Classification-Salary Schedule for the following actions:
Adjustment of temporary employee hourly rates to comply with the state minimum wage pursuant to SB 3, approved April 4, 2016; Approve previously authorized salary adjustments for Confidential Non-Management, Confidential Management, and Department Directors; Add the classification and salary of Chief of Planning to the Classification – Salary Schedule; Adjust the Classification – Salary Schedule to reflect the correct monthly rates for the Permit Services Technician and Plan Checker I classifications; and Adjust the authorized workforce for the Library and Community Services Department by unfreezing the Recreation Assistant and adjusting the workforce to reflect one additional position effective January 1, 2026.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a resolution modifying the Classification - Salary Schedule to reflect 1) new minimum wage adjustments; 2) previously authorized wage adjustments for Confidential Non-Management, Confidential Management, and Department Directors; 3) the addition of Chief of Planning classification and salary; 4) correct monthly rates for two classifications; and 5) Adjust the FY 2025-26 authorized workforce to include one Recreation Assistant effective January 1, 2026.
BACKGROUND:
Senate Bill 3 provided for six minimum wage stepped annual increases from $10.00 per hour to $15.00 per hour, between January 1, 2017 and January 1, 2022. Senate Bill 3 further provides annual minimum wage adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measurements. Consistent with the provisions of SB3, the current rate of $16.50 per hour is increasing to $16.90 per hour effective January 1, 2026. This increase correlates to an increase in the CPI of 2.49% as determined and certified by the Director of the CA Department of Finance. The City of Salinas has eight classifications that fall below the $16.90 per hour range. Therefore, it is necessary to take action to adjust the Classification-Salary Schedule to reflect the increase of any salary ranges that are below the $16.90 hourly rate to comply with the current state law and to adjust impacted classifications.
Additionally, staff recommend an adjustment to the Classification-Salary Schedule consistent with a 3% salary increase as previously approved for the Confidential Non-Management, Confidential Management, and Department Directors groups, effective in the first full pay period of January 2026.
Staff recommends adding the classification of Chief of Planning to the Classification-Salary Schedule. One of the two Assistant Community Developer Director (ACDD) positions has been vacant since August 2025, and it has been hard to fill. The department has identified the need for dedicated leadership and coordinated planning functions. This focused oversight is essential to support the completion of the General Plan Update, two specific plans, the Zoning Code Update and processing of Future Growth Area applications. It is therefore proposed that the vacant ACDD be replaced with a new Chief of Planning position. The Chief of Planning will plan, organize, direct, and manage all City planning, permitting, and environmental review programs and activities in the advanced and current planning divisions and will serves as technical advisor to the Planning Commission and Historic Resources Board.
Staff identified an error in the monthly rates for the classifications of Permit Services Technician and Plan Checker I as listed in the Classification-Salary Schedule. The monthly rates need to be adjusted to correspond with the hourly rates.
Lastly, with construction of the new Hebbron Family Center nearing completion in early January 2026 the Library and Community Services Department will begin recruitment to help staff the new recreation center. One Recreation Assistant was frozen during construction. As contemplated in the FY 2025-26 City Budget, staff recommends unfreezing the position to start recruiting and staffing the new recreation center, thus adjusting the FY 2025-26 approved workforce to reflect the addition of one Recreation Assistant.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
The proposed action meets the City Services Council goal ensuring fiscal responsibility and financial management while providing high quality customer service.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
Human Resources coordinated with Community Development, Library and Community Services, and the Finance Department in this effort.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Currently, departments use temporary staff while funds are available. There may be adjustments necessary in the mid-year budget and next fiscal year’s budget to reflect the increase in minimum wage for 2025.
The salary adjustments for the Confidential and Department Director groups were previously approved in October 2024 and were budgeted as part of the FY 24-25 budget process and do not require further appropriation.
The addition of the Chief of Planning does not require any further appropriation. This position replaces one vacant Assistant Community Development Director.
The addition of one Recreation Assistant for half of FY 2025-26 has a cost of approximately $53,615. Ongoing annual cost is approximately $107,230.
Fund
General Ledger Number
(Operating/CIP)
General Ledger Account Name
Remaining Budget Appropriation
Amount Requested
1100
55.6242
Salaries and Benefits
$164,285
$53,615 Estimated
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Exhibit A: Classification – Salary Schedule
RESOLUTION NO. _________ (N.C.S.)
RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CLASSIFICATION - SALARY SCHEDULE AND WORKFORCE ADJUSTMENT BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALINAS that the Classification-Salary Schedule previously adopted by the City Council by Resolution is hereby amended to 1) adjust classifications falling below the minimum wage rate of $16.90 per hour and any impacted classifications; 2) adjust the salary range for the Confidential Non-Management, Confidential Management, and Department Directors; 3) include the newly added classification of Chief of Planning; and 4) reflect correct monthly rates for Permit Services Technician and Plan Checker I. The FY 25-26 workforce is adjusted to include one re-activated Recreation Assistant.
Attached as Exhibit A is the amended Classification - Salary Schedule.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 9th day of December 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED:
____________________________________ Dennis Donohue, Mayor ATTEST:
______________________________
Patricia M. Soratos, City Clerk
Exhibit A
Classification – Salary Schedule
Confidential Non-Management
Confidential Management
Department Directors
Chief of Planning
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