Minnetrista council approves promotions, market adjustments and succession step with $23,000 midyear hit

The Minnetrista City Council approved a package of personnel actions May 20 that includes promotions, market adjustments and a succession‑planning step for public safety.

Staff recommended promoting an associate accountant (to senior accountant/deputy clerk) and a customer‑service representative (to administrative assistant), each with a 10% adjustment. The personnel committee also recommended 10% market adjustments for Director of Public Works Gary Peters and Director of Public Safety Paul Falls to align pay with market data. As part of succession planning for an expected retirement, the council approved placing Lieutenant Squires into the deputy police‑chief pay grade (grade 10, step 7) with a roughly 5% pay increase effective July 1, 2024.

Ally Palfos, director of administration, told the council the total midyear budget impact for the package is about $23,000 and noted the proposed increases would be funded by savings from several open positions. Mayor Lisa Whelan praised staff performance, saying the city has “an excellent, excellent staff” and that paying staff appropriately is a reason the city has accomplished so much.

Council approved the combined motion 5–0. The personnel changes are scheduled to be effective July 1, 2024. Staff said the adjustments are intended to improve retention and reflect market compensation trends.