City OKs wage increases

Published 10:18 am Thursday, March 24, 2016

The City Council approved a two percent wage increase for City Administrator Craig Clark and the Austin Police Department supervisors in 2016.

On March 7, the city conducted a performance evaluation as outlined in Clark’s employment agreement, which resulted in a satisfactory evaluation.

Human Resources Director Tricia Wiechmann said the wage increase is consistent with the wage adjustment given to all settled labor agreements and non-union, non-exempt and non-union exempt employees for 2016.

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Clark’s salary will increase to $130,561.60 from $128,003.20.

The Austin Police Department Supervisors will also see a two percent increase in 2016 and a three percent increase in 2017 and 2018.

The supervisors unit consists of three lieutenants, three sergeants and four detectives, which will soon be five with the addition of another detective.

Police Chief Brian Krueger said the supervisors unit and patrol unit were the only ones to not get a wage adjustment in 2016 yet and that the patrol unit should be negotiating with the city soon.

Members of the unit met and approved terms of a labor agreement from 2016 to 2018, a three year agreement.

There is also an increase in night shift differential from 75 cents to 80 cents per hour.

They will also have changes in their health insurance starting in 2017.

Changes in health insurance for police department supervisors:

— Increase to the city’s contribution or cap of $100 per month for family coverage (increase to $1,100 per month) and $25 per month for single coverage (increase to $425 per month).

— Changes to insurance wording to allow the city to offer one base health insurance plan, giving the city ability to make changes to future plans.

— Language for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) so the city can maintain compliance of future provisions of the ACA.

— Decrease in the opt-out payment provided to employees with other insurance coverage by $10 per month (decrease to $215 per month).