Council approves higher planning-manager salary range to aid recruitment

The city manager told the council recruiting a planning manager has been unsuccessful across three recruitments and that the current salary range is not competitive with peer agencies. The manager proposed raising the top end of the range to better attract senior planners who could later become planning director.

Councilmembers discussed the role of contract consultants (Willdan), comparisons to nearby agencies, and tradeoffs between salary, work-life balance and recruitment. Several members said pay is only one factor but that a higher top step is necessary to recruit more experienced candidates; one councilmember voted no.

The council approved the salary-range adjustment by roll call (Councilmember Mersh: yes; Councilmember Wilson: yes; Councilmember Black: no; Mayor Pro Tem Derringer: yes; Mayor Piper: yes). Staff said they will relaunch recruitment with the new range and may target additional candidates; they will return with recruitment results and any recommended contract adjustments.

Ending: Council approved the new salary range; staff will resume recruitment under the new schedule.