EL CENTRO — The El Centro Council voted salary increases for city directors during its regular meeting July 19 in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
The City’s compensation and employment terms for five positions through June 30, 2025 became effective July 1, 2022. Each subsequent year during each director’s anniversary date, the City Manager will conduct performance evaluations. A satisfactory performance evaluation will be eligible for a two percent increase.
The base salary per month and car allowance for the following positions were voted on separately as agenda items. These are the new monthly salaries:
Community Services Director: $11,025 and car allowance of $400.
Finance Director: $12,109 and car allowance of $300.
Chief of Police: $13,856 and provided with a vehicle.
Director of Public Works and City Engineer: $12,469 and and car allowance of $400.
Human Resources Director: $10,416.67 and and car allowance of $300.
“Existing pay scale for these positions were antiquated and needed to be updated,” said Mayor Tomás Oliva, who voted for the salary increases.
“In order for us to be competitive to recruit and retain, we needed to bring the positions up to market value,” said Mayor Oliva. Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Cardenas-Singh, Councilmember Edgard Garcia, and Councilmember Sylvia Marroquin voted for the increased pay. Councilmember Cheryl Viegas-Walker was absent.
At a time of inflation, rising gasoline prices, higher cost of grocery items, and soaring expenses of basic commodities— the City afforded increased salary across the board to its 200 plus employees and department directors.
“There is never a good time to justify the raise and to explain to someone why,” said Mayor Oliva. “However, it is part of the growth of a position. And to understand that as time goes on, the cost of living goes up. Right now, the City is in a position to where we can afford that.”
The council’s decision to increase the salary of department directors was the last stage in a round of salary compensation updates for City employees, according to Mayor Oliva. Budget for these will come from the general fund.
“We appreciate and recognize the hard work of our City Staff,” said Mayor Oliva, expressing his gratitude to City employees.
