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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW (No heading) ... Our View: Charging ahead on supporting electric vehicles ... Rogue River man allegedly copped to fatal knifing, affidavit says ... (No heading) ... Our View: Charging ahead on supporting electric vehicles ... Rogue River man allegedly copped to fatal knifing, affidavit says ... ASHLAND Council OKs raises for department heads Comment By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 21, 2015 at 4:36 PM By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 21, 2015 at 4:36 PM » Social News Citing lack of competitiveness in recruitment — and the topping out in pay ranges — the Ashland City Council Tuesday approved a wage increase for city department heads by adding four steps to the top of the present salary range at 2.5 percent intervals. The city still is exploring possible increases in administrative leave and vacation accrual, because managers are always “on the clock.” Officials are also researching city-sponsored 401(a) retirement plans. City Administrator Dave Kanner was directed to research the impact of the raises on upcoming budgets. Kanner originally proposed adding two steps of 5 percent each, but city councilors wanted more and smaller steps, so as to keep managers climbing the ladder longer and perhaps staying a few more years.  At present, managers top out in salary in 4.5 years, so councilors, led by Pam Marsh, hoped to double that time frame. Kanner said all but one manager was topped out now. After doing a survey of similar-sized towns in Southern Oregon, Kanner said Ashland did well by comparison, but was too low to make the jobs attractive compared with larger jurisdictions. He explored many options to increase the pay-and-benefits packages but said what applicants most care about is money — and then vacation. Kanner brought up the issue of paying more to police and fire chiefs as about half of the cities surveyed do. All Ashland department heads have the same scale. “How are we going to pay for this?” Councilwoman Carol Voisin asked. She was the lone nay vote to the wage increases, saying the lowest-paid workers in the city government were people such as secretaries, who are mostly women. “I want to see a match in percentage increase for the lowest paid,” said Voisin. “Unless we do something about that I cannot vote for this.” Department heads get annual increases according to the wage scale, Kanner said. “If you survive the year and have a satisfactory report, you’re assumed to be doing a good job.” Voisin asked Kanner about bonuses in lieu of salary hikes, but Kanner said they’re difficult to apply fairly and create “real morale problems.” The money is best put in salaries, he said. The pay hikes also will include the city attorney and human resources manager. The raises won’t be in effect until fiscal year 2016. Reach Ashland freelance writer John Darling at [email protected] . By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 21, 2015 at 4:36 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501