A report sponsored by the City of New Bern found its employees are paid below market level. The board of aldermen have approved a resolution to increase pay for 201 city jobs.
The city-sponsored study released in June found city employees are paid between 5-15% less when compared to surrounding cities and counties. The proposed resolution raises pay for between 3 and 10% based on job classification and pay grade.
The board acknowledged the proposal does not bring every position up to the recommended level, but voted to consider making up the difference in June.
In a memo to the board, Director of Finance Kim Ostram estimated the cost of implementation to be $2.3 million dollars annually.
According to Town Manager Foster Hughes, bringing salaries up to the recommended level would cost more than $3 million annually. The proposal goes into effect on December 25.
