SCOTT CITY ADJUSTS PERSONNEL POLICIES, SALARIES

SCOTT CITY -- An ordinance requiring city employees to move to the city within six months and another setting entry-level pay rates were given first-round approval this week by the Scott City Council.

New employees must move inside the city limits within six months of employment unless it would be an undue hardship. In that case, employees may live within 10 miles or 15 minutes as long as the number of employees living outside the city doesn't exceed 30 percent.

The first ordinance would place police officers under the same guidelines as other city employees. The second establishes guidelines for entry-level pay rates.

City Administrator John Saxton said the changes would give the city flexibility in hiring. "It will allow for previous experience and the city will be better able to pay someone commensurate with their ability and skills," he said.

The guideline on the pay plan says the minimum rate will normally apply to those taking entry-level positions. It outlines several qualifications when the city administrator may approve higher initial compensation -- such as difficulty in recruiting a new employee at the usual opening rate.

Applicants who were former employees or who have special qualifications are also eligible for higher starting pay.

Another provision allows the administrator to appoint a new employee up to the midpoint of the salary range without council approval.

A former employee may also be re-appointed to a former position and salary at the discretion of the city administrator; if this is done within 10 working days, there will be no loss of benefits.

The ordinance allows the department head and city administrator to give a 5 percent pay increase after an initial employment period of from six months to one year.

Councilwoman Brenda Moyers scheduled an administrative-finance committee meeting next Thursday at 6 p.m. to continue work on the city's salary structure.

The current structure hasn't kept up with the cost of living or the credentials required for the jobs, she said.

Studying the matter will take time as council members receive a survey of payroll levels in area cities, she said.