DATE: April 9, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Human Resources Department
TITLE: RECEIVE AND ACCEPT THE FINAL WATER UTILITIES COMPREHENSIVE SALARY AND COMPENSATION REPORT; AND ADOPT RESOLUTIONS MODIFYING THE COMPENSATION PLAN FOR UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES AND APPROVING SIDE LETTER AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE OCEANSIDE CITY EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION, MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE, AND WESTERN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERS
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council receive and accept the Final Water Utilities Comprehensive Salary and Compensation Report; and adopt resolutions modifying the Compensation Plan for Unrepresented Employees ("Comp Plan"), and approving side letter agreements with the Oceanside City Employees' Association (OCEA), Management Employees of the City of Oceanside (MECO), and Western Council of Engineers (WCE).
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Oceanside Water Utilities Department has faced a 15 percent turnover rate in recent years, resulting in an estimated $960,000 annual financial impact due to hiring, training, and operational disruptions. Additionally, the department has been understaffed during vacancies leading to a loss of institutional knowledge and productivity.
In April 2020, the City Council accepted the Water Utilities Strategic Plan Update, which included a goal to "develop and retain engaged employees and attract top-level talent to join our high performing team." Following the approval of the City Council, the Oceanside Water Utilities Department underwent a comprehensive Operational and Organizational study conducted by Raftelis Corporation, completed in June 2022. The top recommendation was for the City to conduct a focused compensation study of neighboring utility agencies to address recruitment and retention challenges.
In June 2023, the City Council approved a contract with Gallagher Benefits Services, Inc. (formerly known as Koff and Associates) to conduct ...
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