City Manager Sanders prepares for 2024

The first update of 2024 from City Manager Sam Sanders was light, like the rest of Council’s agenda. Sanders said the month of December is always a reflective one for him. 

“Where you take a look back at what you were able to get done, get a little mad and angry and complain about what you didn’t get gone, and rest up and get ready for what you need to get done, and then you move into the New Year and you try to get it all done,” Sanders said. 

Sanders said some of what has to get done this year is the continued implementation of the city’s new pay scale and classifications. 

“Which is going to be a very serious process for us to go through,” Sanders said. “It impacts the entire workforce. It’s a big project and it’s been in the works for the past few months specifically. It’s going to be a very expensive endeavor but one that is necessary and one that is long overdue.” 

For more details, take a look on the city’s website at the classification and compensation study conducted by the firm Gallagher last year. There was a public hearing last May. 

Sanders also said collective bargaining continues with three bargaining units with negotiations underway.

“They too are going to be very expensive to make happen,” Sanders said. “We’re supportive of the process and I want to make sure that everyone understands that we do recognize it being a process. It’s not an easy process, I assure you. We’re very well aware of that but hope to be able to bring forth three contracts that we can execute and make that a part of how we move and do business in the city.”

Sanders said implementation of Council’s strategic plan will continue this year and that he hopes to name two deputy city managers next week to assist him with his work. 

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