ATLANTA -
February 10, 2004
The Honorable Shirley Franklin
The Honorable Cathy Woolard and Members of Council
55 Trinity Avenue, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Dear Mayor Franklin, President Woolard and Members of Council:
As the City goes through deliberations on the 2004 final budget, it is important to view the recommended 2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in the context of salary enhancements provided to City employees over the past decade. The City workforce as a whole has not received an across-the-board cost of living increase since 1998, and this increase was limited to 1%. Prior to installation of the 1995 David M. Griffith Pay and Class Plan, no COLA had been awarded since the early 1990s.
Eligible employees have received annual increments in seven of the last ten years. In addition, the City awarded lump-sum increases or bonuses to general employees in five of the last ten years, with those in the lower pay grades receiving proportionately more. Since 1997, special emphasis has been given to lump sum and across-the-board increases for sworn Public Safety employees in an effort to enhance recruitment and retention.
Even in recent lean budget years, the City has been working to improve employee benefits. Enhancements to Police and Fire pensions were made in 2001, and a sick leave bonus and police retention bonus were paid in December 2003.
The recommended across-the-board percentage increase would benefit all employees, including those on step 10 not eligible for an annual increment. Currently, there are 1568 employees at step 10; excluding sworn police and fire employees, 645 of these are below pay grade 19.
Awarding an across-the-board percentage increase prevents the salary compression that can occur with a lump-sum increase. The recommended 2% COLA also preserves the 2004 budgeted reserve needed to restore financial stability to City government and secure the future of the existing workforce.
Attached is a detailed chronology of salary enhancements since 1994.
Sincerely,
Benita C. Ransom
Attachment
c:
Lynnette Young, COO
Greg Pridgeon, COS
Mayor’s Cabinet
ATTACHMENT
City of Atlanta
10 Year History of Salary Actions
2003
City minimum salary of $22,000 established for full time employees. Grades 1-6 are adjusted to salary Grade 7
Hazardous Duty Pay authorized for 20 classifications in Watershed Management
Salary increments granted
2002
Holiday premium pay suspended for 2002 only
Performance Payment Incentive program approved for Aviation employees for 2002 only
No salary increments granted
2001
Sworn police personnel (including chiefs, deputies and recruits) receive a $ 2,000 salary increase
Sworn fire & corrections personnel (including chiefs, deputies and recruits) receive a $2,000 salary increase
General employees in pay grades 1-13 receive a $2,000 salary increase
General employees in pay grades 14-49 and 30 City Council staff positions receive a $600 salary increase
Non-sworn employees in grades 1-13 receive $600 on July 2, 2001
Salary increments granted
2000
Sworn police personnel (including chiefs and deputies) receive a $2,000 salary increase
Sworn fire and corrections personnel (including chiefs and deputies) receive a $2,000 salary increase
General employees and 30 City Council staff positions receive a $1,200 salary increase
General employees and 30 City Council staff positions authorized for a $600 salary increase (not implemented)
Executive Salary Schedule is adopted - COO, CFO, Chief of Staff, City Attorney, and Aviation GM salary adjusted
Educational Incentive pay is granted to sworn corrections officer classes and police recruits
Retention incentive payment of $2,000 paid to sworn police personnel with more than 5 years of service
Retention incentive available to sworn police personnel on their 5th anniversary with employment commitment
Employees on step 10 for over one year receive one time payment equal to one-half salary step
Performance Payment Incentive program approved for all employees for 2000 only
Salary increments granted
1999
$2,000 salary increase granted to all sworn police personnel (including chief and deputies)
$2,000 bonus paid to sworn fire employees in two separate installments of $1,000 each
No salary increments granted
1998
4% parity with police salary increase granted to sworn fire & corrections personnel (excluding chiefs and deputies)
Salary increments granted
1% Cost of Living increase granted
1997
4% salary increase approved for sworn police employees at major and below
Employees earning $25,000 or below receive a one-time bonus of $500
Salary increments granted
1996
No salary increases granted
Salary increments deferred to July 1
1995
New DMG Pay & Class Plan installed
Salary increments payable October 1, 1995
1994
No salary increments granted