Staff presentation: 2025 pay study shows most Board salaries within range; legislative researcher pay lacks direct civil-service match

Committee staff presented a pay-study comparison Jan. 9 showing that most Board of Aldermen staff salaries fall within comparable civil-service ranges, while some positions are higher than civil-service equivalents but below mayoral-office levels.

"You should all have a spreadsheet in front of you in your packet," Director Gracia said, outlining columns for job title, stated salary range, the incumbent's salary and comparable civil-service minimums and maximums. She said she worked with Owen Wolf, a senior HR specialist in the Department of Personnel, to identify comparable jobs and ranges.

Director Gracia said the 2025 pay study (released in November) was used where relevant. She highlighted that the legislative researcher position did not have a directly comparable civil-service match, so staff used the research analyst to the mayor as the comparator. "I did highlight legislative researcher. That was something we were not able to find that was completely comparable, so we used the research analyst to the mayor, comparable," she said. A staff remark in the packet noted that those positions "typically do tend to make a significant amount more than civil service or other jobs in city hall."

Committee members had few immediate questions and said they would "digest" the information ahead of the budget cycle. Director Gracia said she will return after the civil service commission and administration finalize raise recommendations; she also noted the pay study indicated that positions below the minimum would be raised, while salaries already within the range or at the maximum would not be changed.

The committee did not take any salary or budget votes at the meeting; members said they expected to consider the pay study findings when the civil service commission and administration make recommendations.

The committee adjourned after other agenda items.