Post Falls pay: Not too hot, not too cold

Editor’s note: This is the second part of a summer-long Press series on public employee pay.

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

POST FALLS — When it comes to retaining employees, Post Falls feels the pull from both sides — Coeur d'Alene and Spokane.

"One of the issues we deal with is being located so close to Spokane," Mayor Ron Jacobson said. "We need to compare to the Spokane market as they are a competitor for talent."

Several years ago the city approved a 5 percent hike for police positions to reduce turnover to the higher-paying markets of Coeur d'Alene and Spokane, Jacobson said.

"We do not pay the highest salaries (in the region) nor do we pay the lowest," Jacobson said. "Our goal is to fit in the market at a level that pays wages that are high enough to keep talent at the city while remaining fiscally responsible."

Jacobson said he believes Post Falls' salaries strike that happy medium and are fair to both the employees and taxpayers. The city performs salary surveys on all positions every two years and takes a more in-depth look on a periodic basis.

"Depending on experience, most employees will start near the bottom of the salary range and move up if their performance meets expectations," he said. "Once they hit the top of their salary range, they are not eligible for merit increases but are eligible for (cost-of-living adjustment)."

The recommended COLA this year is 2 percent. Last year it was 1 percent. Employees last year could earn a merit increase of up to 3 percent. Salary hike proposals for the upcoming fiscal year have not yet been presented to the council.

Salary samples

A public record request by The Press to obtain city employees' 2017 salaries, overtime and benefits revealed that nine of the city's 197 positions paid more than $100,000 per year and another three between $90,000 and $100,000.

The city administrator's salary was the highest at $138,702, followed by the police chief at $132,092; legal services director, $126,794; parks and recreation director, $121,350; and finance director, $113,890.

As other examples, most senior emergency communications officers made between $40,000 and $48,000; senior patrol officers, $52,000 to $76,000; street workers, $34,000 to $45,000; water operators, $43,000; parks workers, lower $30,000 range; building inspectors, $40,000 to $50,000; city council members, $9,796; and the mayor, $22,045.

"We have salary ranges that determine the beginning, market and maximum amounts that we will pay for each position," said Teresa Benner, human resources director. "Depending on the experience and position, this can be negotiated at the beginning of employment, but budget does play a limiting role in this process as well."

The mayor and city council have not taken a raise since 2012.

A benchmark survey completed in March revealed the city was behind 6.67 percent in salaries for many positions compared to other agencies in the region overall, Benner said. Adjustment proposals will be presented to the council this month.

Turnover has been a mixed bag for the city, Benner said.

"We're oftentimes having to go outside our demographic area to find applicants that meet the skillsets," she said. "Turnover hasn't been huge with full-time employees jumping to other positions, but seasonals often leave when they're offered a full-time position elsewhere or for higher pay."

Benner said striking a balance on employee pay is tricky. If the city chose to not pay competitively it could add staff but the performance level could be low.

"By paying more competitively, we reduce the turnover and have higher-performing staff, but we risk employee burnout especially in times of high growth," she said. "It is definitely a challenge."

Six employees rolled up more than $5,000 in overtime, topped by the building official's $14,841. The other five work for the police department.

Jacobson said overtime is necessary to maintain levels of service and handle the city's growth.

Benner said Post Falls has one of the fastest-growing housing markets in the country, but staffing levels continue to lag behind in every department. Further, because revenues come in 18 months later, the city has to do what it can to hire with the funds available.

"Every division could use more help," she said. "We have expected service levels but we don't necessarily have the employee population to always keep up with the demands and that can create a lot of stress.

"I'm finding a trend in my exit interviews that outgoing employees are becoming tired and even turning down overtime when offered because of burnout and the constant push of too few people for the service levels desired."

Employee performance is evaluated every six months by supervisors.

Benefits sweeten the offer

The majority of the employees received total benefits in the $20,000 range, with the city administrator receiving the most at $43,556 and police chief $40,473.

Employees pay an average of 4 percent for health, dental and vision plans for themselves and their families.

"But we have one of the highest deductible and maximum out-of-pocket plans so we pay up to $10,000 for the family in claims if they’re having a bad medical year," Benner said.

"The good thing is that we have struck a balance on our claims-to-premium ratios and are receiving our second no increase in a row so things seem to be leveling out a bit which is good news for us. Prior to our deductible increases two years ago, we were experiencing an average of 10 percent increase per year."

With the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) plans, when general members contribute 6.79 percent, the city kicks in 11.32 percent. For police, when they contribute 8.36 percent, the city pays in 11.66 percent.

"Benefits are a huge attractant to potential employees and their families so, while we may not pay the most, the whole package helps ensure retention," Benner said.

Determining salaries is a juggling act that depends on turnover rates, ability to fill positions and other factors, city council member Alan Wolfe said.

"Over the years we have had to make adjustments just to be able to attract quality candidates," he said. "It is the largest expense for an entity, but it is also extremely important to provide the best workers for our customers — the citizens. Our team does a great job keeping things fair in terms of the market."

Payroll - 2017 - City of Post Falls

Title - Department - Annual salary - Overtime - Benefits

Accounting Specialist-A/P CSR - Finance - $26,074.14 - $0 - $21,691.48

Accounting Specialist-A/P CSR - Finance - $29,028 - $0 - $14,103.77

Accounting Specialist-A/P CSR - Finance - $35,787.13 - $0 - $19,913.34

Accounting Supervisor - Finance - $59,163.02 - $0 - $22,808.54

Admin Specialist - Streets - $16,391.52 - $0 - $9,205.32

Admin Specialist - Parks & Rec - $17,564.60 - $0 - $5,840.17

Admin Specialist - Parks & Rec - $22,059.22 - $0 - $13,264.17

Admin Specialist - Planning & Zoning - $28,225.97 - $0 - $22,925.07

Admin Specialist - Engineering - $31,904.82 - $0 - $19,503.57

Animal Control Officer - Animal Control - $37,100.64 - $50.85 - $25,841.05

Animal Control Officer - Animal Control - $44,070.88 - $232.09 - $13,757.80

Animal Shelter Manager - Animal Control - $32,641.69 - $0 - $25,178.38

Assistant Chief of Police - Police - $106,187.60 - $0 - $32,326.64

Assistant City Engineer - Engineering - $89,974.53 - $0 - $31,476.49

Associate Planner - Planning & Zoning - $49,559.89 - $0 - $21,612.67

Building Inspector - Building - $40,528.84 - $195.93 - $21,082.81

Building Inspector - Building - $48,872.80 - $51.89 - $27,021.55

Building Inspector - Building - $50,299.20 - $163.11 - $27,195.56

Building Official - Building - $62,987.84 - $14,841.49 - $22,612.86

Captain - Police - $110,139.60 - $0 - $28,554.52

Cemetery Maintenance - Cemetery - $34,699.62 - $2,278.54 - $19,909.89

Cemetery Sexton - Cemetery - $45,686.00 - $2,947.13 - $21,324.45

Chief of Police - Police - $132,092.00 - $0 - $40,473.13

Chief Operator Water - Water - $67,452.00 - $1,831.88 - $12,430.99

Chief Water Reclamation Operator - Wastewater - $60,178.13 - $894.57 - $28,296.69

City Administrator - General Services - $138,702.20 - $0 - $43,556.58

City Clerk - City Clerk - $45,064.02 - $0 - $26,484.41

City Engineer - Engineering - $108,043.20 - $0 - $30,345.13

City Prosecutor - Legal - $94,069.92 - $0 - $19,779.22

Communications Director - Police - $81,981.68 - $0 - $25,487.17

Community Services Admin - Police - $36,888.01 - $0 - $16,629.09

Council Member - Mayor & Council - $9,796.80 - $0 - $8,652.72

Council Member - Mayor & Council - $9,796.80 - $0 - $5,644.30

Council Member - Mayor & Council - $9,796.80 - $0 - $10,862.23

Council Member - Mayor & Council - $9,796.80 - $0 - $9,851.66

Council Member - Mayor & Council - $9,796.80 - $0 - $19,098.53

Council Member - Mayor & Council - $9,796.80 - $0 - $18,089.63

Crime Victim Advocate - Oasis - $10,029.09 - $0 - $3,834.91

Crime Victim Advocate - Oasis - $34,981.36 - $0 - $9,761.57

Crime Victim Advocate - Oasis - $50,658.18 - $18.56 - $21,391.83

Custodian - Facility Maintenance - $18,735.66 - $0 - $8,716.87

Custodian - Facility Maintenance - $26,366.42 - $0 - $24,720.06

Custodian - Facility Maintenance - $31,377.61 - $0 - $16,824.43

Customer Service Rep - Utilities - Water - $29,455.56 - $0 - $7,868.99

Department Specialist - Streets - $27,209.82 - $0 - $14,777.89

Department Specialist - Police - $29,117.61 - $0 - $7,831.54

Department Specialist - Police - $31,666.04 - $0 - $24,969.91

Department Specialist - Parks - $31,668.88 - $0 - $25,320.46

Deputy Prosecutor - Legal - $71,389.68 - $0 - $17,314.25

Detective - Police - $61,011.95 - $0 - $29,683.19

Detective - Police - $63,206.82 - $736.73 - $28,981.26

Detective - Police - $75,162.80 - $1,746.38 - $13,503.02

Detective Sergeant - Police - $80,413.43 - $3,692.05 - $31,099.93

Electrical Inspector - Building - $8,817.29 - $0 - $4,434.03

Emergency Communications Officer - Police - $5,713.89 - $0 - $1,920.34

Emergency Communications Officer - Police - $17,657.44 - $0 - $7,722.18

Emergency Communications Officer - Police - $37,629.68 - $0 - $23,627.92

Emergency Communications Officer - Police - $38,400.29 - $51.36 - $13,095.48

Emergency Communications Shift Supervisor - Police - $53,050.38 - $1,078.67 - $16,412.37

Emergency Communications Shift Supervisor - Police - $53,090.38 - $692.14 - $10,948.55

Emergency Communications Shift Supervisor - Police - $65,831.47 - $1,294.16 - $23,747.92

Environmental Specialist - Wastewater - $54,380.40 - $0 - $14,956.01

Executive Assistant - General Services - $53,015.24 - $0 - $23,906.06

Facilities Maintenance Foreman - Facility Maintenance - $33,956.00 - $0 - $14,656.56

Facility Maintenance Supervisor - Facility Maintenance - $43,009.60 - $182.88 - $20,568.07

Filing Clerk - Legal - $32,439.90 - $0 - $12,275.95

Finance Director - Finance - $113,890.67 - $0 - $37,734.88

GIS/City View Technician - GIS - $71,430.40 - $0 - $29,569.17

HR Assistant - Human Resources - $36,784.83 - $0 - $26,124.56

HR Director - Human Resources - $98,209.19 - $0 - $35,572.43

Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator - Wastewater - $51,957.40 - $537.95 - $16,447.00

Investigative Sergeant - Police - $90,265.27 - $10,014.43 - $20,485.36

IS Administrator - Police - $86,060.40 - $0 - $31,075.33

IS Administrator - IT - $97,515.20 - $0 - $32,421.98

IS Technician - Police - $48,419.99 - $0 - $20,033.30

Lab Tech - Wastewater - $47,155.20 - $64.17 - $27,854.54

Lead Mechanic/Fabricator - Fleet - $59,463.58 - $0 - $28,335.76

Legal Assistant - Legal - $47,413.60 - $0 - $26,800.55

Legal Services Director - Legal - $126,794.10 - $0 - $39,365.88

Maintenance Supervisor - Streets - $53,803.82 - $0 - $24,093.82

Management Assistant - Police - $57,389.72 - $0 - $27,960.85

Mayor - Mayor & Council - $22,045.61 - $0 - $23,640.72

Media Specialist - Media - $29,888.80 - $0 - $12,133.57

Park Maintenance Worker - Parks - $31,692.80 - $0 - $13,972.65

Park Worker - Parks - $ 31,264.88 - $0 - $12,389.20

Park Worker - Parks - $ 32,933.09 - $0 - $25,434.74

Park Worker - Parks - $ 33,220.00 - $0 - $21,750.17

Parks & Recreation Director - Parks & Rec - $121,350.54 - $0 - $38,757.28

Parks Construction Supervisor - Parks - $47,791.26 - $0 - $26,741.74

Parks Manager - Parks - $58,930.40 - $0 - $27,549.26

Parks Supervisor - Parks - $44,139.55 - $0 - $9,569.91

Police department

Patrol Officer - $2,683.20 - $0 - $2,274.56

Patrol Officer - $7,623.20 - $0 - $2,508.78

Patrol Officer - $14,410.00 - $0 - $3,944.53

Patrol Officer - $19,805.64 - $407.88 - $5,995.81

Patrol Officer - $23,876.88 - $0 - $6,688.78

Patrol Officer - $23,936.88 - $0 - $7,966.01

Patrol Officer - $38,603.13 - $640.11 - $18,425.03

Patrol Officer - $46,119.84 - $8,138.97 - $25,448.99

Patrol Officer - $49,584.00 - $3,475.31 - $14,929.45

Patrol Officer - $51,026.90 - $1,345.27 - $14,849.33

Patrol Officer - $51,136.06 - $1,599.23 - $15,350.41

Patrol Officer - $53,407.22 - $2,898.04 - $27,948.40

Patrol Officer - $67,101.96 - $993.65 - $25,929.57

Patrol Sergeant - $59,505.33 - $5,119.07 - $28,918.49

Patrol Sergeant - $65,663.13 - $2,933.83 - $18,283.33

Patrol Sergeant - $69,756.40 - $267.12 - $29,547.94

Patrol Sergeant - $71,132.36 - $1,904.30 - $24,243.64

Patrol Sergeant - $71,328.07 - $0 - $29,700.08

Patrol Sergeant - $79,559.70 - $553.96 - $30,976.75

Patrol Sergeant - $81,414.32 - $386.88 - $30,921.25

Patrol Sergeant - $82,014.78 - $886.78 - $31,049.51

Payroll Coordinator/Staff Accountant - $45,755.49 - $0 - $21,199.91

Permit Coordination Concierge - Public Works - $31,252.53 - $0 - $18,059.43

Permit Technician - Building - $10,232.81 - $0 - $2,840.18

Planner - Planning & Zoning - $29,786.03 - $0 - $9,329.49

Planning Manager - Planning & Zoning - $64,184.48 - $0 - $23,004.42

Plans Examiner - Building - $47,788.01 - $67.80 - $18,949.91

Police department

Police Investigation & Evidence Technician - $37,624.06 - $0 - $27,080.65

Police Lieutenant - $72,990.25 - $0 - $10,058.97

Police Officer - $53,444.49 - $5,095.04 - $15,568.44

Police Records Specialist - $27,522.47 - $0 - $24,851.09

Project Manager - Wastewater - $62,002.40 - $0 - $24,524.07

Public Information Specialist - Media - $72,249.60 - $0 - $24,700.45

Public Service Maintenance Manager - Public Works - $50,452.47 - $0 - $11,796.59

Public Works Maintenance Manager - Public Works - $43,839.28 - $0 - $5,725.81

Public Works Superintendent - Public Works - $112,308.23 - $0 - $38,939.19

Purchasing Officer - Finance - $33,219.40 - $0 - $13,016.13

Recreation department

Recreation Coordinator - $26,838.80 - $0 - $16,367.96

Recreation Coordinator - $38,824.25 - $0 - $13,235.62

Recreation Division Manager - $38,135.30 - $0 - $12,639.70

Recreation Division Manager - $77,033.60 - $0 - $30,103.41

Recreation Program Assistant - $27,302.32 - $0 - $7,674.10

Recreation Supervisor - $50,286.46 - $0 - $27,321.24

Recreation Supervisor - $50,869.89 - $0 - $23,713.48

Police department

Senior Emergency Communications Officer - $39,618.45 - $99.17 - $13,158.73

Senior Emergency Communications Officer - $40,688.76 - $354.12 - $21,180.77

Senior Emergency Communications Officer - $41,457.66 - $217.92 - $25,798.14

Senior Emergency Communications Officer - $43,990.20 - $223.20 - $14,099.76

Senior Emergency Communications Officer - $44,778.80 - $2,743.65 - $16,669.55

Senior Emergency Communications Officer - $46,219.82 - $187.65 - $10,756.37

Senior Emergency Communications Officer - $47,241.80 - $1,479.74 - $26,857.05

Senior Emergency Communications Officer - $48,321.99 - $715.12 - $14,493.71

Senior Engineering Tech - Engineering - $55,015.26 - $0 - $27,911.02

Senior Lab Tech - Wastewater - $59,944.00 - $0 - $25,759.78

Senior Mechanic - Police - $43,512.81 - $3,690.09 - $27,761.11

Senior Park Worker - Parks - $35,213.35 - $0 - $25,357.53

Senior Park Worker - Parks - $36,405.72 - $104.22 - $12,875.61

Police department

Senior Patrol Officer - $52,330.03 - $1,762.38 - $27,690.43

Senior Patrol Officer - $52,863.65 - $414.60 - $21,693.89

Senior Patrol Officer - $53,133.44 - $2,411.11 - $17,375.99

Senior Patrol Officer - $54,869.33 - $1,889.21 - $27,959.82

Senior Patrol Officer - $55,952.55 - $194.55 - $15,289.46

Senior Patrol Officer - $56,534.80 - $4,162.03 - $28,460.47

Senior Patrol Officer - $58,511.20 - $6,645.70 - $28,980.50

Senior Patrol Officer - $59,863.93 - $674.36 - $28,442.02

Senior Patrol Officer - $61,266.16 - $2,898.15 - $29,127.59

Senior Patrol Officer - $61,406.16 - $2,249.20 - $28,895.42

Senior Patrol Officer - $62,000.18 - $1,717.45 - $17,714.44

Senior Patrol Officer - $63,558.80 - $1,790.95 - $29,003.05

Senior Patrol Officer - $63,770.64 - $1,717.56 - $17,119.24

Senior Patrol Officer - $66,753.19 - $242.47 - $20,806.32

Senior Patrol Officer - $73,800.30 - $687.96 - $26,461.50

Senior Patrol Officer - $76,071.37 - $3,476.82 - $22,377.89

Senior Water Operator - Water - $48,816.00 - $2,042.85 - $22,782.56

Software Support Specialist - IT - $12,488.11 - $0 - $2,878.60

Sr. Wastewater Treatment Operator - Wastewater - $63,553.66 - $0 - $29,653.50

SRO/Detective - Police - $62,684.34 - $2,451.72 - $28,978.10

Staff Engineer - Engineering - $67,995.20 - $0 - $18,614.83

Streets department

Street Worker - $14,182.42 - $0 - $6,806.71

Street Worker - $15,501.97 - $0 - $9,242.90

Street Worker - $21,108.44 - $213.97 - $10,697.86

Street Worker - $29,588.40 - $0 - $11,134.62

Street Worker - $32,700.00 - $225.23 - $12,477.24

Street Worker - $33,468.30 - $380.40 - $8,367.11

Street Worker - $34,601.04 - $0 - $25,552.36

Street Worker - $34,749.20 - $0 - $25,202.45

Street Worker - $37,499.22 - $0 - $23,347.09

Street Worker - $41,463.25 - $0 - $20,724.64

Street Worker - $45,604.80 - $0 - $22,619.37

Street Worker/Mechanic - Fleet - $38,118.78 - $0 - $23,754.47

Traffic Supervisor - Streets - $53,943.02 - $0 - $27,741.79

Urban Forester - Urban Forestry - $47,829.61 - $0 - $26,192.61

Utilites Manager - Wastewater - $88,068.80 - $0 - $31,172.96

Utility Billing Specialist - Water - $35,792.80 - $0 - $25,434.98

Utility Billing Supervisor - Finance - $48,869.97 - $0 - $23,535.40

Water department

Water Operator - $9,193.60 - $0 - $6,595.25

Water Operator - $25,054.26 - $187.43 - $ 11,747.82

Water Operator - $43,113.60 - $1,020.96 - $13,746.11

Water Operator - $43,278.40 - $2,328.46 - $23,420.81

Wastewater department

Water Reclamation Operator - $30,828.47 - $0 - $21,337.35

Water Reclamation Operator - $35,310.60 - $504.05 - $12,844.12

Water Reclamation Operator - $41,379.45 - $1,076.84 - $27,375.29

WWTP Operator - $35,106.40 - $0 - $22,013.65

WWTP Operator - $37,906.48 - $1,031.04 - $26,043.21

WWTP Operator - $42,652.05 - $0 - $26,229.50