COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Graciela Reynoso, Chief Human Resources Officer
DATE: August 5, 2025
SUBJECT: Adoption of Resolutions Approving New Employment Agreements Between the City of Santa Maria and David Wayne Rowlands and Between the City of Santa Maria and Thomas Watson and Approving the Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule and the City Attorney Class S
Description:
The City Council will c onsider the adoption of Resolutions approving new employment agreements with David Wayne Rowlands as City Manager and Thomas Watson as City Attorney and approving a Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule and the City Attorney class specification.
Environmental Notice: This action is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment (CEQA Guideline Section 15378(b)(5)).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Adopt a Resolution approving a new employment agreement with David Wayne Rowlands for City Manager services; and
2. Adopt a Resolution approving a new employment agreement with Thomas Watson for City Attorney services; and
3. Adopt a Resolution approving the Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule for all full- time and part-time employees in accordance with CalPERS Guidelines; and approving the establishment of the City Attorney class specification, and;
4. Authorize Mayor to execute Employment Agreements on behalf of the City Council.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council conducted reviews of Mr. Rowlands and Mr. Watson in closed session on July 1, 2025. The City Council is proposing new employment agreements with some language changes, a compensation increase for the City Manager and City Attorney and removing them from coverage under the City’s Wage & Benefit Package for the Non - Represented Management and Confidential Employees Resolution No. 2024 -47 while 2 also adding benefits therefrom to their new employment agreements. The City Manager’s annual base salary will be $362,041.00, with a City contribution of four (4%) percent to a deferred compensation plan, effective June 28, 2025. The City Attorney’s annual base salary will be $348,380.00, with a City contributio n to four (4 %) percent to a deferred compensation plan, effective June 28, 2025.
DISCUSSION:
In administering the City ‘s workforce plan, the City’s Human Resources Division regularly presents amendments to the City Council for approval of changes to the City’s classification and compensation system.
In order to implement any salary adjustment to salaries paid by the City, the City mu st present the intended adjustment for approval by City Council. California Code of Regulation Subchapter 1, Public Employee’s Retirement Law Regulations Sections 570.5 and 571.1 (2 CCR§§ 570.5 and 571.1) require that the governing body adopt one comprehensive pay schedule that includes all employee classifications whenever any salaries change. The adoption of a comprehensive pay schedule must be adopted during a publicly-noticed meeting that adheres to all open meeting laws , and the pay schedule must be its own, stand-alone document.
Human Resources seeks Council approval for the salary adjustments associated with approval of the City Manager and City Attorney contracts. This Council Agenda Report and attachments document the salary adjustment(s) requested, as required by law.
Fiscal Considerations
Funding for the compensation increases will be included in Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget.
Impact to the Community
Maintain continuity in City operations.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Resolution for Employment Agreement for David Wayne Rowlands B. Resolution for Employment Agreement for Thomas Watson C. Resolution to approve the Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule and establish Job Specification for City Attorney
D. Contract between City of Santa Maria and David Wayne Rowlands E. Contract between City of Santa Maria and Thomas Watson F. Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule
G. City Attorney Job Specification