City employees get salary increase

By a unanimous vote, the Clovis city commission agreed Thursday night to give city employees a 3 percent raise

Each year, following completion of the final budget, City Manager Joe Thomas said consideration is given as to how much money is available to provide annual increases.

"For the last couple of years, due to financial concerns," Thomas said, "we have not been able to give any increases to this level."

City employees received a 2 percent increase in 2011. The last year city employees did not receive a raise was 2002. The pay raises create a total fiscal impact of $464,680.

The amount is prorated for employees with less than one year of service, or employees who have less than a "satisfactory" designation in their last performance evaluation.

Thomas noted that separate negotiations with the Clovis Police Department also resulted in 3 percent raises.

Commissioner Sandra Taylor-Sawyer said the raises were deserved, and that Clovis was fortunate to not be a city forced to cut pay or lay off employees.

"The work that you do is really good to make our city safe and clean and protected," Taylor-Sawyer said. "We live in a blessed community ... that can pay a 3 percent increase. A lot of communities, along with organizations in Clovis, aren't doing this."

Commissioner Dan Stoddard agreed, and noted that much of the employees work sometimes goes unnoticed.

"I hope this pay raise shows you that we are paying attention," Stoddard said, "we do care about you and your families and we appreciate what you do."

Mayor David Lansford agreed with commission sentiments, and said he personally applauded the work of city employees.

Numerous city employees attended the meeting, with some staying afterward to thank commissioners. City Fire Chief Ray Westerman said the 3 percent raise was in excess of what he or his employees expected.