COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Graciela Reynoso, Chief Human Resources Officer
DATE: July 1, 2025
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving and Adopting an Amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule and Updates to New and Previously Established Classifications, and Corresponding Job Specifications
Description:
The City Council will consider approving a Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule for all full -time and part -time employees in accordance with CalPERS guidelines to implement salary adjustments to certain Service Employees International Union Local 620 (SEIU) classifications in accordance with Section 4.02 of the C urrent Year 2024-25 Memorandum of Understanding and approve updates to new and previously established classifications, and corresponding job specifications.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution approving and adopting an amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule and updates to new and previously established classifications and corresponding job specifications.
BACKGROUND:
In administering the City’s classification and compensation system s, and for effective workforce planning, City Human Resources will periodically present to the City Council recommended changes and salary adjustments for formal approval. Human Resources seeks City Council approval for the following adjustments to the Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule, effective June 28, 2025 . This Council Agenda Report and attachments document requested changes.
Implement Salary Adjustments for Certain Classifications in the Service Employees International Union Local 620 (SEIU) Salary Group
These salary adjustments are in accordance with Section 4.02 of the Current Year 2024- 2025 Memorandum of Understanding with Service Employees International Union Local 620 (SEIU), under which the Santa Maria City Council previously agreed to conduct a salary re view and implement agreed-upon adjustments. City Human Resources has collaborated with SEIU to review certain classifications brought forth by SEIU for a salary review. The adjustments requested via Council action are reflective of agreed upon changes.
2 Approve the establishment of the Crime Analyst Flex I/II class specification As part of the 2024-26 Budget Adoption, the City Council approved the reclassification of the Crime Analyst Flex I/II. This report seeks formal approval for its establishment.
Approve the establishment of the Digital Forensics Examiner Flex I/II class specification As part of the 2024-26 Budget Adoption, the City Council approved the reclassification of the Digital Forensics Examiner Flex I/II. This report seeks formal app roval for its establishment.
Approve the class specification amending core competencies and salary adjustment for the Senior Police Records Technician.
As part of the 2024-26 Budget Adoption, the City Council approved the reclassification of the Senior Police Records Technician. This report seeks formal approval for amending its core competencies and implementing a salary adjustment.
DISCUSSION:
To implement any salary adjustment for employees, the City is required to submit the proposed adjustments to the City Council in an open session for approval. This is mandated by California Code of Regulation Subchapter 1, specifically Employee’s Retirement System Regulations Sections 570.5 and 571.1 (2 CCR§§ 570.5 and 571.1).
These regulations dictate that when any salary changes occur, t he City Council must officially adopt, during a publicly noticed meeting that adheres to all open meeting laws, a stand-alone, unified pay schedule that encompasses all employee classifications.
In order to implement a salary adjustment to salaries paid by the City, the City must present the intended adjustments for approval by the Council. California Code of Regulation Subchapter 1, specifically Employee’s Retirement System Regulations Sections 570.5 and 571.1 (2 CCR§§ 570.5 and 571.1) dictate that wh enever salary changes occur, the City Council must officially adopt a stand-alone, unified pay schedule that adheres to all open meeting laws.
Implement Salary Adjustments for Certain Classifications in the Service Employees International Union Local 620 (SEIU) Salary Group
City staff engaged in a comprehensive salary survey of positions brought forth by the Union to review salary for external and internal misalignment. Based on this study , Human Resources recommends implementing the proposed salary adju stments for the below classifications to enhance the City’s competitiveness in recruitment efforts. These adjustments are based on a comprehensive salary survey and an internal alignment analysis, addressing the increasing demand for services across the ci ty and its departments.
3 City of Santa Maria Classifications
Proposed Salary
Adjustment
Water Conservation Specialist 34.00%
Library Clerk 25.00%
Clerk II 25.00%
Library Technical Assistant 25.00%
Associate Planner 11.73%
Assistant Planner 11.73%
Senior Planner 11.73%
Library Technician 8.58%
Librarian II 8.58%
Librarian I 8.58%
Code Enforcement Officer II 11.70%
Code Enforcement Officer I 11.70%
Code Enforcement Supervisor 11.70%
Code Enforcement Technician 11.70%
Approve the establishment of the Crime Analyst Flex I/II class specification This classification was previously adopted by the City Council in the Fiscal Year (FY) 24- 26 Adopted Budget. The City has engaged in the meet and confer process regarding edits to this job specification, which include the removal of the “train and mentor” language.
The establishment of this flex series with its previously proposed salary is based on market analysis, with no additional equity adjustments.
Approve the establishment of the Digital Forensics Examiner Flex I/II class specification This classification was previously adopted by the City Council in the FY 24 -26 Adopted Budget. The City has engaged in the meet and confer process regarding edits to this job specification, which include s the establishment of this flex series with its previously proposed salary is based on market analysis, with no additional equity adjustments.
4 Approve the class specification amending core competencies and salary adjustment for the Senior Police Records Technician.
Adjust the Salary Range for the Classification of Senior Police Records Technician from ($2,431.01-$2,954.91/biweekly) to ($2,537. 97-$3,084.93/biweekly). This represents a
4.4% salary increase. Staff recommends the proposed salary adjustment to the above classification to ensure the city remains competitive when recruiting. This adjustment is supported by an external salary survey and an internal equity analysis.
Salary Schematic Schedule
A Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule for the City of Santa Maria is created and presented in accordance with CalPERS regulations, intended to ensure consistency when reporting compensation for City employees. The Public Employees’ Retirement Law (PERL) Government Code Section 20636(b)(1) requires pay amounts to be paid pursuant to publicly available pay schedules. The Schedule inclu des pay rate information for all full-time and part -time employees. The Schedule enhances the disclosure and transparency of public employee compensation by requiring that the pay rates be listed on a single-pay schedule as per CalPERS’ requirements.
CalPERS requires that whenever there are changes to one or more pay rates, whether through the Meet and Confer process, employment contracts, new classifications, reclassifications, etc., the City is required to update the Schedule and present it to the City Council for review and approval. Any updates will include an effective date and date of any revisions and are to be retained by the City and available for public inspection for not less than five years. The Schedule (Attachment D) incorporates these changes. Upon adoption of the Resolution by the City Council, the Schedule will be posted on the City of Santa Maria’s website.
Alternative(s)
If the recommended Resolution is not approved, the City will continue to operate with the existing classifications and pay schedule, which may negatively impact recruitment and retention efforts for the specified positions and could result in non -compliance with CalPERS regulations regarding the Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule.
Fiscal Considerations
Implement Salary Adjustments for certain classifications in the Service Employees International Union Local 620 (SEIU) Salary Group
The estimated annual FY 2024-25 cost of salary adjustments is approximately $245,900, of which approximately $198,100 is projected to impact the General Fund for FY 2025 -
26. Approve the establishment of the Crime Analyst Flex I/II class specification, as previously adopted by Council in the FY 24-26 Adopted Budget.
This item is administrative in nature and will not generate additional expenditures.
Approve the establishment of the Digital Forensics Examiner I/II class specification, as previously adopted by Council in the FY 24-26 Adopted Budget. 5 This item is administrative in nature and will not generate additional expenditures.
Approve the class specification amending core competencies and salary adjustment for the Senior Police Records Technician.
This item is administrative in nature and will not generate additional expenditures.
Impact to the Community
Overall City services will continue to be provided by City employees with no decrease in the level of service to the public. Instead, it is expected that there will be a positive impact and increase to current service levels to the public achieved by attraction and re tention of talent management; increased employee job satisfaction; and increased performance to serve the community. The requested schedule change will enhance service to the community and maintain compliance with the California Public Employees’ Retiremen t System.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Resolution
B. Job Description - Crime Analyst Flex I/II
C. Job Description - Digital Forensics Examiner Flex I/II D. Job Description - Senior Police Records Technician
E. FT_PT_LS_ Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule