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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, June 17, 2013 Page 30 Roll Call Ayes: Willmus; Laliberte; McGehee; Etten; and Roe. Nays: None. c. Classification and Compensation Study Policy Recommendations and Im- plementation Human Resources Manager Eldona Bacon reviewed the current policy and staff- recommended changes for City Council consideration, as detailed in the RCA dated June 167, 2013. Ms. Bacon noted that, whether the existing 97% plus merit pay compensation plan stayed in place or the proposed new compensation plan was instituted, there would be a need to allocate over $320,000 in additional funds. Interim City Manager Trudgeon noted that these were some substantial numbers in a difficult budget year; and suggested that, if the City Council was interested in pursuing, they consider implementation first. Mr. Trudgeon noted that staff was offering only one suggestion in the RCA, and opined that it was important for the City Council to determine which percentage and a policy to which it wanted to aspire; and then determine options for moving forward. However, Mr. Trudgeon reiterated that the first focus should be where to land on a policy and then how to get there. Mayor Roe reiterated the available policy options including those recommended by staff, and also setting the policy to be the current status quo, or setting another level besides the current status quo or the staff recommendation. In any event, Mayor Roe opined that it was important to set a policy first, and then figure out implementation in light of current budget constraints. Councilmember McGehee offered her support of that basis as a framework, opin- ing that a compensation study was asked for and received, and needed to be done since the last one was accomplished in 2002. Councilmember McGehee opined that her only concern was the ten (10) cities used for comparison and whether they were appropriate. Councilmember McGehee further opined that finding eight (8) positions currently out-of-line was very problematic for her; and ex- pressed her personal preference that those be brought into at least a minimal per- centage with other positions. Councilmember McGehee stated that there should be some acknowledgment by the City Council that they asked for and received this study; and to confirm that the City Council valued its staff. Even though this was a difficult budget year and there were tough choices to make, Councilmember McGehee opined that the City's hard-working staff should not be disregarded; ac- knowledging that the City was certainly not over-staffed.