Item Number: 12
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: June 2, 2026
Submitted By:
Heather Barber, Human Resources Officer
Subject:
Benefits Resolution No. 26-044 and the Salary Schedule
Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council adopt Benefits Resolution No. 26-044, amending the Salary Schedule and amending Fringe Benefits, effective July 1, 2026.
Fiscal Impact:
The fiscal impact associated with the COLA increase to the Salary Schedule, the net additional positions, and the increase to the employee benefits is included in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget.
Strategic Plan Goal:
This item is consistent with Strategic Plan Goal G – Organizational Effectiveness and Sustainability in that the organizational structure must be reviewed and evaluated regularly, and revised accordingly, to maximize organizational effectiveness and sustainability.
Discussion:
Annually, the City Council adopts a resolution establishing the Salary Schedule, fixing compensation rates, and establishing fringe benefits for employees.
Following the recent formal recognition of the Victorville Battalion Chiefs Association as an employee organization, the employees within this newly represented group will be excluded from the proposed Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) and proposed benefits enhancements at this time. Compensation and benefit matters for these employees will be addressed separately through the ongoing labor negotiations with the Association and memorialized in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Accordingly, the proposed benefits resolution removes various items that are specific to the Battalion Chief and Training Battalion Chief positions under the current Benefits Resolution No. 26-008, such 4 7
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as leave accruals, overtime and uniform provisions. Existing benefits received under Benefits Resolution No. 26-008 will continue for the Battalion Chief and Training Battalion Chief classifications until such time as the MOU is finalized.
For Fiscal Year 2026-2027, the following changes are proposed to the Salary Schedule and Benefits Resolution:
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
The 2026 March-to-March Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Riverside-San Bernardino- Ontario, CA was 3.1%. Based on this report and taking into consideration the current City financials, the City Manager is recommending a Cost-of-Living adjustment of 3.0%. The Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Salary Schedule reflects the increase for all non-represented positions.
Based on Article 4.1 of the MOU between the City of Victorville and the Victorville Professional Firefighters, as modified by Side Letters #1 and #2, beginning the first full pay period in July 2023, and continuing to 2024, 2025, and 2026, base salaries at all steps for Fire Captains, Fire Engineer, Firefighter Paramedic, and Firefighter EMT shall increase by 3.0%.
Changes to Personnel
The total authorized full-time positions increased from 575 to 581, reflecting a net increase of 6 positions. The Salary Schedule includes 11 new positions, five (5) deleted positions, three (3) reclassifications, 26 positions with a title change, and four (4) positions with a title change and range change (please see Attachment B – Summary of Changes to the Salary Schedule).
Additionally, there is one organizational change in Fiscal Year 2026-2027, effective July 1, 2026:
The Fire Prevention division will be reassigned from the Building department to the Fire department. There will be a total of six (6) positions reassigned with this organizational change including the Deputy Fire Marshal, Fire Investigator, Fire Plan Checker, and three (3) Fire Inspector positions.
There is a correction this year to the total number of authorized full-time positions following the completion of a thorough position audit. The Mid-Year 2025-2026 Salary Schedule adopted at the February 3, 2026, regular City Council meeting reflected 576 approved positions; however, through the budget review and audit process, it was determined that one additional position had been mistakenly included. This position has been removed from the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Salary Schedule resulting in a corrected total of 581 authorized full-time positions.
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Changes to Benefits
Fringe – The amount of $1,000 per month will increase to $1,200 per month. This amount is provided by the City for health, dental, and vision coverage for non- represented full-time employees, employees represented by the Victorville Professional Firefighters, Council Members, and retirees. Fringe Subsidy – The 50% subsidy provided to non-represented full-time employees and employees represented by the Victorville Professional Firefighters who enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans and are paying out of pocket will be increased from a maximum of $1,000 per month to a maximum of $1,200 per month. This subsidy does not apply to Council Members or retirees. Tuition Reimbursement – In addition to the Tuition Reimbursement currently offered to the City’s full-time employees, the City will be offering tuition reimbursement to part-time employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year for the cost of educational programs which are directly related to the employee’s occupational field with the City.
Additionally, the proposed benefits resolution includes clarifying changes to the Premium Holiday Pay and Differential Weekend/Alternate Shift Pay sections.
Finally, during the budget workshop the City Council requested that staff evaluate an additional 0.25% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for City employees and the addition of two Code Enforcement Officer II positions to be assigned to the Homeless Engagement Team (HET). While these items have not been incorporated into the proposed Salary Schedule and Benefits Resolution at this time, a separate Written Communication item has been included on this agenda for City Council discussion and consideration of these requests.
Staff is requesting your favorable consideration on this item and remains available for any questions or comments.
Prepared By:
Heather Barber, Human Resources Officer
Attachments: A. Resolution No. 26-044
B. Summary of Changes to the Salary Schedule