Salary Increases for City Employees Take Effect

City employees received raises this month as the final installment of a three-year contract took effect.

As negotiated in the original agreement, general employees received a 5% pay increase while raises for the Police and Fire departments were based on the median salaries of 10 Orange County cities.

The average increase for Fire Department employees was 6% and the average for police was about 5%.

Management personnel also received salary increases. Excluding department heads, a 2.5% increase was approved across the board with an option for an additional 2.5%.

Keeping the police and fire employees’ salaries in line with those of other cities was a major factor during negotiations, officials said. After many heated discussions, it was agreed to make adjustments according to the salaries other cities were paying.