Pay raises proposed for officials, workers

North Little Rock is prepared to give 2% salary increases to full-time city employees and elected officials, including City Council members, as a reward for their work during the covid-19 pandemic.

The City Council is expected to vote today on a resolution that would amend the 2020 budget to give a pay increase to city employees. The resolution excludes uniformed employees who are under contract.

The council also is expected to vote on a second resolution that would increase the salaries of elected officials, including City Council members.

Mayor Joe Smith said the pay increases can be considered as a “pat on the back” for city employees who have worked through unprecedented times this year in dealing with the effects of the covid-19 crisis.

“Of all the years that I’ve been here, I’ve never felt more proud of the hard work that our employees have done during this pandemic,” Smith said. “And if they’ve ever earned and deserve a raise, now is the time.”

Smith said the city is in good financial shape and can afford to give approximately 450 city employees a raise.

“We put some thought on this, and we analyzed our financial situation,” he said. “Our finances are in good shape, and I felt this would be a good opportunity not only to give them a cost-of-living increase, but also a pat on the back. Job well done.”

The increase in salaries is contingent upon the appropriation of sufficient funding by the City Council.

City Council Member Charlie Hight said the first question he will ask at the board meeting is if the city can afford the increases.

“I would be supportive of it provided the city has it in their funds,” he said.

City Council Member and mayoral candidate Debi Ross said she is confident the city is in good financial shape and that she will be glad to support the pay increases.

The pay raise for elected officials would include the mayor, the city attorney, the city clerk/treasurer, and City Council members.