GALT, CA (MPG) - The Cosumnes Community Services District board of directors at the regular July 17 meeting unanimously approved changes to the district’s salary schedule.

District policy dictates that a comprehensive classification and compensation study is done every three years to ensure that the job classifications and pay remain fair and competitive.

The last comprehensive study was in 2019. Human Resources director Sheena Newman said a noncomprehensive study took place in 2021 but a planned comprehensive follow-up the next year was delayed because of turnover among “key stakeholders.”

Peter Backhaus of consulting firm Evergreen Solutions explained how his company conducted the study. He said 45 Community Services District employees participated in a survey, representing 20 classifications and 98% of district staff.

Backhaus said the survey indicated that employees are proud to serve the community, happy with the quality of their coworkers, and pleased with the facilities and parks that the district offers.

Backhaus also noted concerns from respondents, including that starting pay is lower than other agencies and that differences in job complexity aren’t well represented in compensation. Employees also wanted a forum in which to voice their issues.

The consultant recommended changing some classifications and job descriptions to better reflect those roles’ actual responsibilities.

The study compared the district’s roles to those of 13 other comparable districts, including the cities of Elk Grove, Folsom, Roseville, Sacramento and Vacaville; and multiple parks and recreation districts in the Sacramento and Bay areas.

Backhaus said the external comparisons confirmed concerns about starting compensation.

“We saw that in several areas, and holistically, on average, when comparing the median starting salaries, the district was behind overall,” Backhaus said, adding that the district remains competitive at the upper end of its salary ranges.

To remedy the shortcomings, Backhaus recommended adding additional pay grades to the salary schedule and changing the pay grades of some positions.

Newman explained the recommendations’ implementation. With the new pay grades, Newman said, the salary schedule would have a consistent 5% difference between steps, rather than the current, varying percentages. She also noted changes to allow for payment based on job complexity.

To provide a forum for staff concerns, Newman proposed creating a committee of nonunion employees to advise district leadership.

In addition, longevity pay would provide an additional $100 per month to employees with 10 years of service and $200 per month to those with 15 years of service.

Director Peter Sakaris said that the district recently hired for multiple positions, which he “worried complicated the study process.” He asked staff to time classification studies and hiring so they do not coincide.

Director Gil Albiani praised Evergreen Solutions for the study’s conduct, saying that past studies have sometimes been “acrimonious.”

“I haven’t heard any hate and discontent, although there might be a little. You’ve probably done it very well and I want to commend you for that,” Albiani said.

Board President Jim Luttrell asked to see the full text of the revised job descriptions, and staff said they would provide them in the future.

The salary schedule changes passed by a 5-0 vote.

Cosumnes Fire Department Chief Felipe Rodriguez said that the Firefighters Burn Institute Boot Drive on June 22 was “very successful.” 

The annual fundraiser supports the Sacramento nonprofit organization, which provides services for burn survivors. 

During the drive, firefighters, academy recruits, interns and others approach motorists stopped at the corner of Laguna Boulevard and Bruceville Road with firefighting boots for drivers to fill with donations. Rodriguez said the effort raised $28,879 for the burn institute.

Board President Jim Luttrell, one-time executive director of the burn institute, said the fundraiser is “near and dear” to him.

“These boot drives really keep things rolling over there for the Firefighters Burn Institute,” Luttrell said.