CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: January 17, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Charles A. Montoya, City Manager;
Suzie H. Soren, Deputy City Manager
Department: Human Resources
Subject: Amending the City-wide Salary Schedule for the Planner Classification Series
Recommendation:
Adopt Resolution No. 2024-014 of the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California:
1. Amending the City-wide salary schedule for the planner classification series.
2. Reclassifying the Deputy Director/City Planner (U) to City Planner (U).
Executive Summary
A classification and compensation study found the Planner classification series to be significantly below market. Amending the City-wide salary schedule for the planner classification series would align the compensation for these positions with the market in order to attract qualified candidates and retain the City’s current planners.
Background
As the City continues its efforts to meet its goals of improving service delivery and building a culture that attracts, retains, and motivates the highest quality of talent, staff recommends adjusting the salaries of the Planner classification series to increase the competitiveness of these positions within the City. In addition, amending the current compensation will aid in efforts to address the recurrence of failed recruitments and turnover for the Planner classifications.
The Human Resources department conducted a salary survey of local agencies for the classifications of Assistant Planner, Associate Planner, Senior Planner, and Principal Planner. The data concluded that the Planner classification series was up to 18% below market. The below recommendations would align each position within market range.
In addition, on September 12, 2023, staff presented an analysis of the City’s economic forecast, position control, and a comparative analysis of other cities in a special meeting. The presentation contained the addition of several new positions and proposed establishing new position classifications within several departments. In this meeting, the City Council approved the classification additions/modifications including reclassifying the Deputy Director/City Planner (U) to City Planner (U).
Discussion
Assistant Planner (Flex)
This is the entry level position in the professional planner job series. Incumbents assist higher-level planners in research, data collection, report preparation, and conduct research and analysis on routine to moderately complex planning projects. This classification currently has been recruited three times since 2020 and has two vacant positions, one of which has been vacant since 2017. This data indicates the City‘s struggle to attract and retain qualified talent in this classification. Based on the salary survey conducted, the Assistant Planner (flex) is approximately 8% behind the average salary of surrounding agencies.
Associate Planner
This is the journey level position in the professional planner job series. Incumbents conduct research and analysis on moderate to complex planning projects. Work requires independence in preparing planning studies and reports on current and advance planning assignments and making presentations on such projects. This classification currently has two vacant positions and has been recruited four times since 2020. This data indicates the City’s struggle to attract and retain qualified talent in this classification. Based on the salary survey conducted, the Associate Planner is approximately 7% behind the average salary of surrounding agencies.
Senior Planner
This is the advanced journey level position in the professional planner job series.
Incumbents perform professional planning work and may be responsible for training, assigning, and reviewing the work of professional and technical staff. This classification currently has one vacant position and has been recruited four times since 2021. The most recent recruitment for this classification has been open for over one month and has received less than 10 applications. This data indicates the City’s struggle to attract and retain qualified talent in this classification. Based on the salary survey conducted, the Senior Planner is approximately 9% behind the average salary of surrounding agencies.
Principal Planner
This is the advanced lead level position within the Planning job series. The incumbent is responsible for planning, organizing, and supervising the work of staff in units performing complex professional planning work. This classification currently has one vacant position and has been recruited three times within the last year, with no results. This data indicates the City’s struggle to attract and retain qualified talent in this classification. Based on the salary survey conducted, the Principal Planner is approximately 18% behind the average salary of surrounding agencies.
Each of these classifications are critical to the operations of the Planning Division of the Community and Economic Development Department. By adjusting their salaries as recommended, the Planner series classifications will reflect more competitive ranges, align with other agencies with whom we compete for qualified applicants, and assist the City in attracting qualified candidates and retaining those currently employed.
Staff recommends the following compensation structure:
Title Current
Range
Current
Minimum
Current
Maximum
Proposed
Range
Proposed
Minimum
Proposed
Maximum
Assistant
Planner
(Flex)
486 $5,555 $6,488 502 $6,016 $7,312
Associate
Planner
515 $6,414 $7,796 530 $6,912 $8,401
Senior
Planner
549 $7,598 $9,236 567 $8,313 $10,103
Principal
Planner
580 $8,676 $10,546 613 $10,228 $12,431
City Planner (U)
As approved by City Council on September 12, 2023, the Deputy Director/City Planner classification will now be titled City Planner (U). Currently, the position is at range 662, $13,060-$15,874/month. The reclassification would bring the position to range 629 $11,077-$13,465/month. The responsibility of the City Planner is to oversee the Planning Division and City-wide planning operations. This classification is distinguished from other classifications in the Planner series by responsibility for developing, implementing, and accomplishing the City's planning goals and objectives, and for ensuring that these goals and objectives are provided to the community in an effective, cost-efficient manner. This position only oversees the Planning Division and does not have the responsibility of a Deputy Director as its current title suggests. The salary is being adjusted based on a salary survey conducted of surrounding cities and reflects the duties and responsibilities of a City Planner.
As changes are made to salaries or classifications, the City is required to adopt a revised salary schedule in a public meeting. The attached salary schedule meets the California Public Employees Retirement Systems (CalPERS) pay rate reporting requirements in accordance with Government Code Section 20636 defining “Compensation Earnable” and the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 570.5.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
Approving the salaries for the classifications of Assistant Planner, Associate Planner, Senior Planner, and Principal Planner aligns with Key Target 2b: Focused, Aligned Leadership and Unified Community by building a culture that attracts, retains, and motivates the highest quality of talent.
Fiscal Impact
The General Fund impact for adjusting the compensation for the planner job series in FY 2023/24 is approximately $57,000. There is sufficient salary savings within the department to absorb this increase in compensation.
Conclusion
Adopt Resolution No. 2024-014 of the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California:
1. Amending the City-wide salary schedule for the planner classification series.
2. Reclassifying the Deputy Director/City Planner (U) to City Planner (U).
Attachments
Attachment 1 Resolution 2024-014
Attachment 2 Resolution 2024-014 Exhibit A – City-wide Salary Schedule Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
December 6, 2023 Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-179 amending the City-wide salary schedule for full time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal positions.