City officials resume their discussion of how to have "fair, but competitive" salaries for non-union positions

The City of Decorah's Personnel Committee returned to a recurring topic on Monday night—what are the right salaries to pay for non-union city employees?

Committee chair Rachel Vagts said she has been getting feedback that city employees who have taken new jobs within city government feel they should be receiving higher salaries because of their experience.  Vagts said the employees want to make sure they are getting "forward progression" in their salary packages.

City council member Karen Tjossem noted "We agonize over this several times each year."  City council member Paul Wanless said whatever salary schedule gets used, the overall financial impact would have to be explained to the public.

Committee members agreed with Vagts that it would be good to take another look at the salaries for non-union employees hired within the last 12 months.