FAYETTEVILLE — Employees at the Fayetteville Public Library could get a 4 percent salary hike next year if city employees receive a similar increase.
The library’s board of trustees approved awarding the 44 full-time and 23 part-time employees the increase as part of an overall review of the compensation package. Blair Johanson of the Johanson Group reported to the board the results of a salary survey he had conducted.
Johanson said the overall salary structure at the library is 5.1 percent behind the market, when compared to other public libraries and agencies in the survey.
Johanson recommended the merit increase be implemented during the 2014 fiscal year, which begins Jan. 1.
After hearing Johanson’s recommendations, board member Maylon Rice asked the board to consider separately the recommendation for the pay hike and make it contingent on city employees pay being increased. Board members agreed and approved the measure unanimously without discussion.
The board also approved immediately increasing the pay for employees making less than the pay range minimums in Johanson’s survey. The study identified six such employees, however, two are interns and don’t qualify for the salary adjustment, said David Johnson, the library’s executive director. The total annual cost to adjust the four employees’ salaries is $5,532 without benefits, Johnson said.
The board also approved the next year’s $4.3 million budget, which includes an appropriation for the 4 percent salary increase. About half the budget, or $2.6 million, is allocated for personnel.
The budget projects ending the fiscal year with a balance of $524, Johnson said.
The board last month increased Johnson’s salary by about $23,000 to keep pace with similar libraries.
Johnson said the library contracted with the Johanson Group earlier this year to conduct a job classification and compensation study. The purpose of the study was to provide guidance for pay range adjustments.