Elko New Market City Council — Transcript
Thursday, October 22, 2026
2026 Compensation Study Implementation
Harvest Drive Reconstruction Cost Participation
Fire Relief Exterior Lighting at Fire Department Buildings
Votes (3)
2026 Compensation Study Implementation
Moved by Council Member [0:27:06] · Seconded by Council Member [0:27:08]
ABDO presented the 2026 compensation study, highlighting that the city's current pay structure is below the desired 60th percentile market position. They proposed a new pay plan with 20 grades and 8 steps, designed to better align with market rates. Two implementation options were discussed: Phase 1 (moving employees to the closest step without going backwards, estimated 6.36% payroll increase) and Phase 2 (reinstating employees to their original service step, adding 4.4% to payroll). No employee pay decreases are expected under either option. The Council accepted the report and approved the proposed position scores.
Harvest Drive Reconstruction Cost Participation
Staff presented information on Harvest Drive, a township road in poor condition, indicating 68% of its traffic comes from city residents. The estimated reconstruction cost for the relevant segment is $250,000, but the city has no legal obligation to contribute. Council members expressed that the township should provide a formal proposal, rather than the city preemptively offering funds, given the road's deterioration and the township's responsibility. The consensus was to invite the township to present their case.
Fire Relief Exterior Lighting at Fire Department Buildings
The Fire Relief organization expressed a desire to fund and install exterior lighting at fire department buildings using donated funds. While not requiring formal council approval, staff presented the item for general support and acceptance to ensure alignment with council wishes before proceeding with installation prior to the holiday season. The Council expressed unanimous support.
Notable Quotes (8)
the city's current pay structure is falling just slightly below that desired market position. So on the range for when it comes to position minimum pay uh the city is 4% below that desired 60th percentile position and on the range maximum pay the cities fall on average by position right um is falling about 7% below that desired range maximum position.
The key takeaway here is under neither of these options um is are there pay decreases? Implementation doesn't result in a decrease in pay for any employee to adopt and it doesn't freeze anyone sort of between steps or or waiting for the table to catch up with them.
So tonight, I think really what we're looking for is the first two items to actually act on and discuss uh or is one is to accept the report as accurate and so it serves as a reference and basis for step two which is providing direction on implementation.
Harvest Drive is a township road which is located uh immediately adjacent to the border of the city on the southwest corner of the city. the road is in a condition in the township that it is due for reconstruction, at least the top um pavement layer. And the township has asked whether or not the city believes it can and should participate in it.
No maintenance has been done to the section of road that we are being asked about. Um the city has no legal obligation to cost participate. Um, township residents utilize city streets without cost participation from the township or residents for maintenance or reconstruction.
I feel like I need more information from the township like more details about I feel like we're negotiating against ourselves right now... I'm open to conversations Now, where that goes and what percentage and you know, whatever that's going to be through good faith negotiations and discussion. Um, so I wouldn't say I'm slamming the door shut on it, but it's you got to talk more.
the fire relief um would like to use donated dollars to the city or like the city dollars they donated to the city to fund exterior lighting other buildings of light... The cost of this likely nothing that would require council specific approval, but nobody wants to go out and do something unless the council is generally supportive or accepting of it.
I like it. Go for it.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
The primary report analyzed for adjusting city employee compensation.
Previous compensation study conducted for the city.
Primary data source used for market comparisons in the compensation study.
The recalibrated salary structure recommended by ABDO.
Used for updating the scoring of the Mechanic position.
Associated with the rescored Mechanic position.
Option for compensation study implementation focusing on moving employees to the closest step without back-reinstatement.
Option for compensation study implementation that includes back-reinstatement to years of service step, building on Phase 1.
A parks capital project that saw cost escalation and was deferred from this year's budget.