Council deadlocks on raises; votes to delay one‑time bonuses or raises 4–3

Council considered two staff compensation proposals that had been presented by council members: a one‑time 'rest and recognition' (R&R) payment of $1,800 per eligible civilian employee (estimated cost roughly $582,000) and a recurring 3% general wage increase (GWI) for civilian, non‑management staff (estimated roughly $609,000 recurring impact to the general fund).

Council member Zapata (speaker 11) framed the R&R payment as a limited, non‑recurring recognition that would keep long‑term base wages intact while giving immediate relief to staff; she said the $1,800 figure was chosen as roughly comparable to a 2–3% adjustment on an average salary of about $70,000. Opponents argued that a recurring GWI embeds new costs into future budgets and would increase reserve requirements. After debate and a short recess to let staff produce updated fund‑balance numbers, the council took a roll‑call vote on a motion to delay both the R&R payment and a GWI this year; the motion passed 4–3, leaving the $400,000 police vehicle and $60,000 part‑time library restorations as the primary amendments approved.