HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-26; City Council; ; Revisions to the Management Compensation and Benefits PlanCA Review CKM
Meeting Date: July 26, 2022
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Staff Contact: Debbie Porter, Senior Human Resources Analyst
debbie.porter@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2441
Judy von Kalinowski, Human Resources Director
judy.vonkalinowski@carlsbadca.gov, 760-473-4670
Subject: Revisions to the Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
District: All
Recommended Actions
1.Adopt a resolution approving revisions to the Management Compensation and Benefits
Plan and authorizing
•The assistant fire chief and fire division chiefs to fill vacant fire battalion chief work
shifts
•Changes to waived health benefit credits for unrepresented management
employees.
2.Introduce an ordinance adding Section 2.04.025 to the Carlsbad Municipal Code to
formalize the city’s longstanding practice of providing elected officials with the same
retirement, health and welfare benefits available to unrepresented management
employees and excluding the amounts paid for these benefits from elected officials’
compensation.
Executive Summary/Discussion
Proposed revisions
Staff recommend the following revisions to the Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
for unrepresented management employees:
Fire safety management
A fire battalion chief is responsible for managing the fire suppression duty staff – fire
captains, fire engineers, paramedic firefighters and emergency medical technicians) on each
24-hour shift. The Fire Department has four fire battalion chiefs. Due to the constant
staffing requirement, when a fire battalion chief is unable to work a shift for example, due
to illness or injury or deployment on a mutual aid emergency, another fire battalion chief
must fill in and work that extra shift. in some instances, this results in one or more fire
battalion chiefs working consecutive 24-hour shifts without a break for multiple weeks.
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 1 of 32
To prevent burnout due to extended work periods, staff recommend allowing fire division
chiefs and the assistant fire chief to fill a vacant shift of a fire battalion chief. all
unrepresented fire management positions are exempt from Fair Labor Standards Act
overtime regulations, and fire battalion chiefs are paid at their base hourly rate of pay when
they fill another fire battalion chief’s shift. staff recommend fire division chiefs and the
assistant fire chief filling in for a fire battalion chief be paid at the fire battalion chief base
hourly rate of pay for hours worked outside of their regular work week.
Flexible Benefits Program
The city contribution towards health insurance for unrepresented management employees
is currently based on a formula for each medical insurance coverage level (i.e., employee,
employee + 1, family). For those who choose to waive the city’s medical insurance coverage
because they are covered under another group plan, the city’s contribution is also based on
a formula and the resulting amount has historically fluctuated between approximately $300
and $500 per month.
To provide a stable and predictable cost for “waive health benefit credits,” staff
recommend, the city’s contribution be equal to $400 per month, effective Jan. 1, 2023.
If approved, this change would also apply to elected officials because they are provided the
same flexible benefits program that applies to unrepresented management employees.
A proposed resolution approving the revised Management Compensation and Benefits
Plan is attached as Exhibit 1, with these revisions incorporated in the Management
Compensation and Benefits Plan included as Attachment A to Exhibit 1. Exhibit 3 shows
the proposed revisions.
Benefits for elected officials
The Mayor, City Council members, City Treasurer and City Clerk receive the same
retirement, health and welfare benefits as the city’s unrepresented management
employees. When these benefits were first provided to elected officials, the City of
Carlsbad was a general law city subject to the provisions of the California Government
Code related to the salaries and benefits of elected officials. California Government
Code Section 36516(d) specifies that the amounts paid by a general law city for
retirement, health and welfare benefits are not included for purposes of determining
the salary of a City Council member so long as the same benefits are available and paid
by the city for its employees.
Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 2.04.010(A), recently approved by the voters, sets the
amount that the City Council members receive as compensation and establishes a
system for adjusting that salary. Section 2.04.010(B) provides for the Mayor to receive
additional monthly compensation of $100. Section 2.04.020 establishes the amount of
compensation paid to the City Clerk and City Treasurer. The municipal code does not
address the issue of benefits for elected officials.
The proposed ordinance, attached as Exhibit 2, would formalize the city’s longstanding
practice, consistent with California Government Code Section 36516(d), of providing the
same retirement, health and welfare benefits to elected officials as it provides to
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 2 of 32
unrepresented management employees and excluding the amounts paid for such
benefits from the compensation for elected officials.
The city’s tax counsel, who is working with staff to review and update the city’s benefit
plan documents, has recommended the city formalize this practice for clarity. Including
this information in the municipal code will also provide more transparency to the public
regarding the types and amounts of benefits payable to elected officials.
Options
Staff recommend the City Council approve the proposed revisions to the Management
Compensation and Benefits Plan regarding Fire Department management positions and waived
health benefit credits, and introduce the proposed ordinance formalizing elected officials’
benefits.
Not approving the proposed revisions would result in possible burnout of fire safety
management employees and unpredictable costs for the credits paid to unrepresented
employees who opt out of health coverage. Staff have identified no drawbacks from these
revisions.
Introducing and ultimately adopting the proposed ordinance acknowledges but does not alter
the city’s practice of providing retirement, health and welfare benefits to its elected officials. It
will provide clarity and transparency about the types of benefits the city provides and the
exclusion of those benefits from elected officials’ compensation, in keeping with Sections
2.04.010 or 2.04.020.
Fiscal Analysis
No additional appropriations in fiscal year 2022-23 are being requested to fund the proposed
adjustments. Future fiscal year impacts will be incorporated into future operating budgets.
• The annual cost of having the fire division chiefs and the assistant fire chief fill vacant
shifts of battalion chiefs will depend on the number of times it occurs. It is expected to
occur infrequently, staff estimate 10 occurrences per year, which would cost
approximately $14,000 (including salary and benefits).
• Using the current formula, the health benefit credits for non-represented employees
who opt out of health coverage are estimated to be $346 per month as of Jan. 1, 2023.
The annual cost of the increase to these credits from $346 per month to $400 per
month for unrepresented management employees is estimated to be $15,000. This
amount is included in the fiscal year 2022-23 adopted budget.
Next Steps
With the City Council’s approval, staff will implement the provisions of the Management
Compensation and Benefits Plan as shown in Attachment A of Exhibit 1.
If the City Council introduces the proposed ordinance, staff will prepare the ordinance for a
second reading and adoption at a subsequent City Council meeting. Following the second
reading and adoption of the ordinance, the City Clerk’s Office will have the ordinance, or a
summary of the ordinance, published in a newspaper of general circulation within 15 days.
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 3 of 32
Environmental Evaluation
This action does not constitute a project within the meaning of the California Environmental
Quality Act under California Public Resources Code Section 21065. It has no potential to cause
either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical
change in the environment.
Public Notification
This item was noticed in keeping with the Ralph M. Brown Act and it was available for public
viewing and review at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date.
Exhibits
1.City Council resolution
2.City Council ordinance
3.Revisions to the Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 4 of 32
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-194
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING REVISIONS TO THE MANAGEMENT
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PLAN
WHEREAS, the constant staffing requirement in the City of Carlsbad Fire Department sometimes
requires Fire Battalion Chiefs to work extended periods of consecutive 24-hour shifts, thereby,
increasing the possibility of fatigue and "burnout"; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has the determined the need to allow a Fire Division Chief or the
Assistant Fire Chief to "work down" to fill a vacant Fire Battalion Chief shift and to be paid during the
"work down" at the Fire Battalion Chief base hourly pay rate during the hours worked outside of their
regular work week; and
WHEREAS, elected officials are provided the same flexible benefits program that applies to
unrepresented management employees; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined the need to switch from a formula to a fixed dollar
amount ($400 per month) to determine the city contribution towards health insurance for those
unrepresented management employees and elected officials who waive the city's medical insurance
so that this benefit is stable and predictable.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as
follows:
1.The above recitations are true and correct.
2. The revised Management Compensation and Benefits Plan (Attachment A) is approved
and the City Manager is authorized to execute it on behalf of the city.
Exhibit 1
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 5 of 32
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad on the 26th day of J!!!y, 2022, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
Hall, Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Norby.
None.
None.
_,{ot,FAVIOLA MEDINA, City Clerk Services Manager
(SEAL)
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 6 of 32
Attachment A
MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 Introduction ............................................................................Page 2 Section 2 Compensation ........................................................................Page 2 Pay Ranges .......................................................................Page 2 Compensation Adjustments ............................................Page 3
Survey Market ..................................................................Page 3
Section 3 Benefits and Other Types of Pay ...........................................Page 4 Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance and Voluntary Benefits ....................Page 4 Retirement ........................................................................Page 4
Leave of Absence .............................................................Page 5
1.Vacation ..............................................................Page 6 2.Executive Leave .................................................Page 9 3.Sick Leave ..........................................................Page 9 4.Bereavement Leave ............................................Page 10
5.Leave Without Pay .............................................Page 10
6. Pregnancy Disability Leave ................................Page 12 7.FMLA .................................................................Page 12 8.Military Leave ....................................................Page 12 9. Jury Duty ............................................................Page 12
10. Extended Leave of Absence ...............................Page 13
11. Paid Family Leave ..............................................Page 13 Separation Compensation ................................................Page 13 Holidays ...........................................................................Page 13 Health Benefits.................................................................Page 14
Health Insurance for Retirees...........................................Page 15
Physical Fitness Reimbursement .....................................Page 16 Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTD) Page 16 Deferred Compensation ...................................................Page 17 Drug and Alcohol Policy .................................................Page 17
Uniform Reimbursement and Reporting the Value
of Uniforms to CalPERS ..................................................Page 17 Fire Safety Management ..................................................Page 17 Special Assignment and Temporary Upgrade Pay ..........Page 19 Educational Incentive Pay................................................Page 20
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 7 of 32
Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
2 Revised 7/26/2022
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
The Management Compensation and Benefits Plan contains three parts: 1) an introduction, 2) an overview of compensation and 3) a description of benefits for management employees. Definitions
1. Management Employees - Management employees are defined as those employees
whose classifications are listed on the Management Salary Structure. Except as to those management employees subject to an applicable law, all management employees are considered “at-will” and have no property rights to their position. At will employment with the City may be terminated at any time by either party, with or without cause, for
any reason or no reason whatsoever, and with or without advance notice. At will
employees do not have the right to appeal. 2. City Council Appointed Employees - The City Manager and City Attorney are hired by and responsible directly to the City Council. The salaries for these positions shall be set
by the City Council. The City Manager and City Attorney will not be subject to the
provisions of the Compensation program as outlined in Section 2 of this document. The schedule of management benefits (as outlined in Section 3 of this document) will apply to these positions, except as otherwise provided by the City Council.
SECTION 2: COMPENSATION
Pay Ranges Each management job classification is assigned to a specific pay range. An employee may be paid
anywhere in the pay range associated with their job classification.
Any employee may be advanced in the pay range regardless of the length of time served at the employee’s present pay rate. This advancement requires the written recommendation of the employee’s manager and the approval of the employee’s department head and City Manager (or
City Attorney, for management employees in the City Attorney’s Office)1.
If, as a result of a pay range adjustment, an employee’s base salary falls below the minimum of the pay range, the employee’s salary will be increased to the new range minimum as of the date City Council approves the pay range adjustment.
Periodically the Human Resources Department will bring forth salary range movement recommendations to City Council that are based on market and economic conditions, and may include one or more salary ranges.
_____________________________
1 Hereafter, all references to the City Manager include, with regard to management employees in the City Attorney’s Office, the City Attorney.
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 8 of 32
Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
3 Revised 7/26/2022
Compensation Adjustments
Effective January 17, 2022, all management employee salaries will be increased by four percent (4%). As a result, all management salary ranges will be adjusted to reflect this increase. An employee’s salary may not exceed the maximum of the pay range for their classification.
Survey Market
In keeping with the City Council’s philosophy of surveying the total compensation of local agencies, the agencies listed below will be considered in the survey market for management classifications.
• City of Chula Vista
• City of Coronado
• City of Del Mar
• City of El Cajon
• City of Encinitas
• City of Escondido
• City of Imperial Beach
• City of La Mesa
• City of National City
• City of Oceanside
• City of Poway
• City of San Marcos
• City of Solana Beach
• City of San Diego
• City of Santee
• City of Vista
• County of San Diego In addition to the agencies listed above, the following agencies will be considered in the survey
market only for Utilities Director, Utilities Manager and Utilities Supervisor classifications.
• Encina Wastewater Authority
• Helix Water District
• Olivenhain Municipal Water District
• Otay Water District
• Padre Dam Municipal Water District
• Vallecitos Water District
• Vista Irrigation District The Human Resources Department will compare salary and benefits information on each City of
Carlsbad benchmark classification with appropriate classifications in the survey market. Those classifications that are considered benchmarks are those in which there was a substantial match between the competencies and duties required for jobs at the City of Carlsbad and those for jobs in the survey market.
Each City of Carlsbad job classification is assigned to a specific pay range. The non-benchmark positions are assigned to a pay range based on internal relationships, responsibility and/or
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 9 of 32
Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
4 Revised 7/26/2022
knowledge, skills and abilities of jobs. The benchmark salary data will be surveyed regularly and
the benchmark comparisons will be modified when the classifications change within the
organization. The City Council delegates to the City Manager the authority to create and change job classifications and assign job classifications to a specific pay range, based on both benchmark salary
information and internal relationships within the organization.
SECTION 3: BENEFITS AND OTHER TYPES OF PAY Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance and Voluntary Benefits
All management employees shall receive city-paid life insurance in an amount equal to two times their base salary up to a maximum benefit of $400,000. To determine benefits, the amount of insurance is rounded to the next higher $1,000 multiple, unless the amount equals a $1,000 multiple.
Effective January 1, 2020, all management employees shall receive city paid Accidental Death and
Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance in an amount equal to two times their base salary up to a maximum benefit of $400,000. To determine the benefit, the amount of insurance is rounded to the next higher $1,000 multiple, unless the amount equals a $1,000 multiple.
The City provides various voluntary benefits available at the employee’s cost. Employees may
select among various levels of coverage. For information regarding these benefits, contact the Human Resources Department at 760-602-2440. Retirement
All management employees shall participate in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The specific retirement formula applied will be determined based on whether the position is deemed safety or miscellaneous. All positions not deemed eligible for safety retirement will be deemed miscellaneous under the CalPERS system. Optional benefits unique to the City of
Carlsbad’s contract with CalPERS are outlined in the contract between the city and CalPERS. A
copy of this contract is kept on file in the Human Resources Department. Management employees who are considered fire safety employees are eligible for the same retirement benefit formula and are subject to the same optional retirement benefits described in the
City of Carlsbad CalPERS safety contract (and are the same as those provided to employees
represented by the Carlsbad Firefighters' Association, Inc.). Unrepresented sworn police management employees are eligible for the same retirement benefit formula and are subject to the same optional retirement benefits described in the City of Carlsbad CalPERS safety contract (and are the same as those provided to employees represented by the Carlsbad Police Officers’
Association). A. The City has contracted with CalPERS for the following retirement benefits: Miscellaneous “Classic” Members (those that do not qualify as “New Members” as
defined below)
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Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
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a) Employees entering City of Carlsbad miscellaneous CalPERS membership for the first
time prior to November 28, 2011 - The retirement formula shall be 3% @ 60; single
highest year final compensation. b) Employees entering City of Carlsbad miscellaneous CalPERS membership for the first time on or after November 28, 2011 - The retirement formula shall be 2% @ 60; three year average final compensation.
c) Employees entering City of Carlsbad safety CalPERS membership for the first time prior
to October 4, 2010 - The retirement formula shall be 3% @ 50; single highest year final compensation. d) Employees entering City of Carlsbad safety CalPERS membership for the first time on or after October 4, 2010 – The retirement formula shall be 2% @ 50; three year average
final compensation.
“New Members” Employees who are “New Members” as defined by the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) (e.g., an employee hired on or after 1/1/2013 who
has never been a CalPERS member or member of a reciprocal system or who has had a
break in CalPERS service of at least 6 months or more) will be subject to all the applicable PEPRA provisions, which include but are not limited to the following retirement benefits. a) Miscellaneous employees - Retirement formula shall be 2% @ 62; three year average
final compensation.
b) Safety employees - Retirement formula shall be 2.7% @ 57; three year average final compensation. B. Employee Retirement Contribution
The employee retirement contribution will be made on a pre-tax basis by implementing provisions of section 414(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Employees shall make the following employee retirement contributions through payroll
deductions:
• miscellaneous employees subject to the 3% @ 60 benefit formula shall pay all of the employee retirement contribution (8%),
• miscellaneous employees subject to the 2% @ 60 benefit formula shall pay all of
the employee retirement contribution (7%),
• safety employees subject to the 3% @ 50 or 2% @ 50 benefit formulas shall pay all of the employee retirement contribution (9%), and
• miscellaneous and safety employees who meet the definition of “New Member”
under PEPRA shall pay one half of the normal cost rate associated with their benefit plan. Leave of Absence
Management employees are exempt from overtime requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Management employees in the City are paid on a salary basis versus an hourly basis. Pursuant to FLSA regulation 29 CFR Section 541.5d, the City can make deductions from salary or leave accounts for partial day absences for personal reasons or sickness because the City has a policy and
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Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
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practice of requiring its employees to be accountable to the public that they have earned their
salaries. A partial day absence is an absence of less than the employee's regular work day.
Pursuant to FLSA regulation 29 CFR Section 541.118 (a)(2) and (a)(3), the City may make salary or leave reductions based upon full day absences. Partial day or full day absences shall be first charged against the exempt employee's vacation, sick,
or executive leave account. In the event the exempt employee does not have sufficient time in
his/her leave account to cover the absence, deductions without pay will be made on full days only. 1. Vacation a. Vacation Accrual
Every management employee shall accrue vacation leave for each calendar year of
actual continuous service dating from the commencement of said service, with such time to be accrued on a daily (calendar day) basis. Vacation leave can be used in 15 minute increments. All management employees (except Fire Battalion Chiefs, Assistant Police Chief, and Police Chief) shall earn vacation on the following basis:
- Beginning with the first (1st) working day through the completion of five (5) full calendar years of continuous service - 13 minutes/day. - Beginning the sixth (6th) year of employment through the completion of ten
(10) full calendar years of continuous service - 20 minutes/day.
- Beginning the eleventh (11th) year of employment through the completion of eleven (11) full calendar years of continuous service - 21 minutes/day.
- Beginning the twelfth (12th) year of employment through the completion of
twelve (12) full calendar years of continuous service - 22 minutes/day. - Beginning the thirteenth (13th) year of employment through the completion of thirteen (13) full calendar years of continuous service - 24 minutes/day.
- Beginning the fourteenth (14th) year of employment through the completion of fifteen (15) full calendar years of continuous service - 25 minutes/day.
- Beginning the sixteenth (16th) year of continuous employment, vacation time
shall be accrued, and remain at a rate of 26 minutes/day for every full calendar year of continuous employment thereafter. Management employees with comparable service may be granted credit for such
service for the purpose of computing vacation at the discretion of the City Manager.
All management employees shall be permitted to earn and accrue up to and including three hundred and twenty (320) hours of vacation, and no employee will be allowed to earn and accrue vacation hours in excess of the three hundred and twenty (320) hour maximum.* The City Manager shall be responsible for the granting of vacation
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Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
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to all management personnel, except in the case of the City Attorney’s Office, where
the City Attorney shall be responsible for granting vacation.
* If there are unusual circumstances that would require an employee to exceed the vacation accrual
maximum, he/she must submit a request in writing to the Department Head and the City Manager or Designee. The Department Head and the City Manager or Designee may grant such a request if it is in the best interest of the City. Requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis and will be considered only in extreme circumstances. Fire Battalion Chiefs shall accrue vacation in the same manner and up to the same
maximum as Carlsbad Firefighters' Association (CFA) represented employees.
For Fire Safety Management employees who contribute to the post-retirement healthcare trust established by CFA, Inc. and who work a 112 hour/pay period schedule, each year, in the last paycheck in December, all accrued vacation hours over
384 hours will be deposited into the employee’s individual post-retirement
healthcare trust account. For Fire Safety Management employees who contribute to the post-retirement healthcare trust established by CFA, Inc. and who work an 80 hour/pay period
schedule, each year, in the last paycheck in December, all accrued vacation hours over
256 hours will be deposited into the employee’s individual post-retirement healthcare trust account. The Assistant Police Chief and Police Chief shall accrue vacation in the same
manner and up to the same maximum as Carlsbad Police Management Association
(CPMA) represented employees. b. Vacation Conversion
Employees, except for Fire Safety Management employees who contribute to the
post-retirement healthcare trust established by CFA, Inc. are eligible to submit an irrevocable request to elect to cash out up to 80 hours (or up to 112 hours if a Battalion Chief on a 112 hours/pay period schedule) of accrued vacation hours for the following calendar year.
1. All employees wishing to convert accrued vacation to cash in the year following the election will complete a form between November 10 and December 10 of each year. Elections will not carry over from one calendar year to the next calendar year.
2. Only vacation hours accrued during the calendar year following the election may be cashed out. Employees accruing less than the election amount may cash out no more than their total vacation accrual in the following calendar year.
3. The employee’s accrued vacation to convert to cash will be credited first to the
cash out account with the employee’s earned vacation leave until the employee’s full election amount is reached. The vacation hours designated to the cash out account will not be credited toward the employee’s maximum vacation accrual.
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Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
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During this period of time, no earned vacation leave will be credited to the
employee’s vacation time off balance.
4. Payment of vacation hours elected for cash out will be in the last paycheck in December unless the employee has accrued all the elected vacation hours by June 30, in which case payment of the all the elected vacation hours may be cashed out
in July at the employee’s request. All vacation hours will be paid in the calendar
year in which the vacation hours accrue. If the employee does not accrue all requested vacation hours in the calendar year, the vacation payment amount will be reduced to the total number of vacation hours the employee actually accrues in the calendar year and the payout will be made no later than the last pay date in
the calendar year.
5. The vacation payment amount will be based on the employee’s rate of pay at the time of the payout. The vacation payment amount is taxable income, subject to all applicable withholding amounts and payroll deductions.
6. An employee who does not elect to cash out vacation by December 10 waives their right to do so and will not be allowed to cash out any vacation accruing in the following year.
Fire Safety Management employees who contribute to the post-retirement healthcare
trust established by CFA, Inc., are eligible to submit an irrevocable request to elect to convert accrued vacation hours for the following calendar year to be deposited into the employee’s individual post-retirement healthcare trust account in the same manner established for employees represented by CFA, Inc. There shall be no cash
option available to these employees for the conversion of unused accrued vacation
hours. c. Vacation Payout
An employee separating from the City service, except for a Fire Safety Management
employee who contributes to the post-retirement healthcare trust established by CFA, Inc., who has a balance of unused accrued vacation leave shall be entitled to be paid for the remainder of their unused accrued vacation leave as of their last day on payroll.
For Fire Safety Management employees who contribute to the post-retirement healthcare trust established by CFA, Inc., upon separation of employment, one hundred percent (100%) of the value of all remaining unused accrued vacation hours shall be converted to the employee’s individual account in the Post-Retirement
Healthcare Trust and/or a City-sponsored 457 Plan at the base rate of pay in effect at
the time of separation from the City. Allocation amounts to either or both the Post-Retirement Healthcare Trust individual account and 457 Plan will be at the employee’s discretion and subject to Internal Revenue Service regulations. The employee shall be responsible for ensuring their contributions to a 457 Plan do not
exceed the maximum allowed per law. If the amount of terminal vacation pay the
employee converts to a 457 Plan causes their 457 contributions to exceed the
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maximum allowed per the law and those contributions are returned to the City, the
City will deposit the amount returned into the employee’s individual account in the
Post-Retirement Healthcare Trust. There shall be no cash option available to the employee for the conversion of unused accrued vacation hours at the time of separation. The default will be to convert 100% of the unused vacation hours into the Post-Retirement Healthcare Trust individual account unless the employee
designates conversion to the City-sponsored 457 Plan no later than 14 calendar days
prior to the employee’s last pay date. 2. Executive Leave (E-time)
Effective July 1, 2018, all management personnel shall receive 64 hours per fiscal year for
executive leave. The 64 hours will be credited upon hire or promotion into management and at the beginning of each fiscal year to individual leave balances. This leave must be used within the same fiscal year. The City Manager is authorized to provide 10 additional hours of executive leave per year to any management employee who is required to work extended
hours due to emergencies such as fires, storms, floods, or other emergencies.
3. Sick Leave Sick leave can be used in 15 minute increments.
Sixteen (16) minutes of sick leave are accrued per calendar day. Accumulation is unlimited (employees cannot receive payment for unused sick leave). Fire Battalion Chiefs that work a 112 hour/pay period schedule shall accrue sick leave sick leave at a rate of 25 minutes per day. A Fire Battalion Chief who changes from a 112 hour/pay period schedule to an 80
hour/pay period schedule as a result of an administrative assignment or an occupational
injury assignment (either full or light/modified duty) will continue to accrue at a rate of 25 minutes per day during this assignment. Any management employee, except a Fire Safety Management employee, who has accrued
and maintains a minimum of one hundred (100) hours of sick leave shall be permitted to
convert up to twelve (12) days of sick leave and uncompensated sick leave to vacation at a ratio of three (3) sick leave days per one (1) day of vacation. The sick leave conversion option will be provided during the first week of each fiscal year. Conversion can only be made in increments of full day vacation days. Employees will not be allowed to convert
sick leave to vacation if such conversion would put them over the vacation accrual
maximum. Fire Safety Management employees shall be eligible for sick leave conversion based on the following guidelines.
For a Fire Safety Management employee on an 80 hour/pay period schedule: Any employee who has accrued and maintains a minimum of 160 hours of sick leave shall be permitted to convert up to 120 hours of accumulated uncompensated sick leave to either accrued vacation hours or to the employee’s post-retirement
healthcare trust account at a ratio of 24 hours of sick leave to 8 hours of
vacation/contributions to the employee’s post-retirement healthcare trust. The sick
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Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
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leave conversion option will be provided during the first week of each fiscal year.
Employees will not be allowed to convert sick leave to vacation if such conversion
would put them over the vacation accrual maximum. No cash option will exist for sick leave conversion. For a Fire Safety Management employee on a 112 hour/pay period schedule:
Any employee who has accrued and maintains a minimum of 240 hours of sick leave
shall be permitted to convert up to 288 hours of accumulated uncompensated sick leave to either accrued vacation hours or to the employee’s post-retirement healthcare trust account at a ratio of 72 hours of sick leave to 24 hours of vacation/contributions to the employee’s post-retirement healthcare trust. The sick
leave conversion option will be provided during the first week of each fiscal year.
Employees will not be allowed to convert sick leave to vacation if such conversion would put them over the vacation accrual maximum. No cash option will exist for sick leave conversion.
Any permanent employee applying for retirement with the Public Employees’ Retirement
System may convert accrued and unused sick leave time to extend service time in the system at the ratio of twenty-five (25) days of accrued sick leave to one month of extended service. 4. Bereavement Leave
An employee may use up to an equivalent of three work days of paid leave if required to be absent from duty due to the death of a member of the employee’s immediate family. Additional time off may be authorized by the Department Head and charged to accrued vacation or sick leave or, when no accrued leave is available, treated as leave without pay.
The “immediate family” shall be defined in the personnel rules and regulations. The employee may be required to submit proof of relative’s death before final approval of bereavement leave is granted.
5. Leave of Absence Without Pay a. General Policy
Any employee may be granted a leave of absence without pay pursuant to the
approval of his/her Department Head for less than two calendar weeks. If the duration of the leave of absence will be longer, the approval of the City Manager or his/her designee is required.
An employee shall utilize all his/her vacation, e-time and/or sick leave (if applicable)
prior to taking an authorized leave of absence without pay. A leave without pay may be granted for any of the following reasons: 1. Illness or disability.
2. To take a course of study which will increase the employee’s
usefulness on return to his/her position in the City service.
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11 Revised 7/26/2022
3. For personal reasons acceptable to the City Manager and Department
Head.
b. Authorization Procedure Requests for leave of absence without pay shall be made in writing and shall state
specifically the reason for the request, the date when the leave is desired to begin, the
probable date of return, and the agreement to reimburse the City for any benefit premiums paid by the City during the leave of absence. The request shall normally be initiated by the employee, but may be initiated by his/her Department Head, and, if applicable, shall be promptly transmitted to the City Manager or his/her designee
for approval. A copy of any approved request for leave of absence without pay with
a duration equal to or greater than two calendar weeks shall be delivered promptly to the Directors of Finance and Human Resources. c. Length of Leave and Extension
A leave of absence without pay may be made for a period not to exceed six months, unless otherwise approved by the City Manager. The procedure for granting extensions shall be the same as that in granting the original leave provided that the request for extension is made no later than fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the
expiration of the original leave.
d. Return From Leave When an employee intends to return from an authorized leave of absence without
pay either before or upon the expiration of such leave, he/she shall contact his/her
Department Head at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the day he/she plans to return. The Department Head shall promptly notify the Human Resources Department of the employee’s intention. The employee shall return at a rate of pay not less than the rate at the time the leave of absence began.
e. Insurance Payments and Privileges An employee on leave without pay may continue his/her City insurance benefits by reimbursing the City for the employee’s costs of insurance on a monthly basis during
the period of the leave. Failure to reimburse the City for such benefits during the
term of a leave of absence will result in the employee’s coverage terminating on the first day following the month in which the last payment was received. Upon the employee’s return to paid status, any sums due to the City shall be repaid
through payroll deductions. This applies to sums due for insurance as well as other
payment plans entered into between the City and the employee (e.g., computer loan). Upon eligibility for COBRA, the employee will be notified of the opportunity to continue benefit coverage via the COBRA process.
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 17 of 32
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An employee on leave of absence without pay shall not have all of the privileges
granted to regular employees (e.g., holiday pay), unless required by law.
6. Pregnancy Disability Leave
Pregnancy Disability Leave shall be authorized and/or administered in accordance with the
provisions of State and Federal law. An employee disabled by pregnancy shall be allowed to utilize a combination of accrued sick leave and vacation time and leave without pay to take a leave for a reasonable period of time, not to exceed four months. An employee shall utilize all accrued leave prior to taking leave without pay. Reasonable period of time means
that period during which the employee is disabled on account of pregnancy, childbirth, or
related conditions. An employee who plans to take a leave pursuant to this article shall give the City reasonable notice of the date the leave shall commence and the estimated duration of the leave.
7. Family and Medical Leave of Absence (FMLA) An employee may be granted a FMLA of up to 12 weeks in a 12 month period for one or more of the following reasons:
- for the birth/placement of a child for adoption or foster care,
- to care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition, or - to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious condition.
FMLA may be paid or unpaid and may be granted concurrently and in conjunction with
other leave and benefit provisions. Specific details regarding the provisions of this leave are available by contacting the Human Resources Department. 8. Military Leave
Military leave shall be authorized in accordance with the provisions of State and Federal law. The employee must furnish satisfactory proof to his/her Department Head, as far in advance as possible, that he/she must report to military duty.
9. Jury Duty
When called to jury duty, an employee shall be entitled to his/her regular compensation. Employees released early from jury duty shall report to their supervisor for assignment for the duration of the shift. Employees shall be entitled to keep mileage reimbursement paid
while on jury duty.
A Department Head may, at his/her sole discretion, contact the court and request an exemption and/or postponement of jury service on behalf of an employee.
Employees released early from jury duty shall report to their supervisor for assignment for
the duration of the work day. At the discretion of the supervisor, an employee may be
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 18 of 32
Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
13 Revised 7/26/2022
released from reporting back to work if an unreasonable amount of the work day remains in
light of travel time to the job site after release.
10. Extended Leave of Absence Upon completion of 84 consecutive calendar days (12 weeks) of leave of absence (paid or
unpaid and except when leave is ordered by the city or when an employee is on an active
duty military leave) or completion of a leave of absence related to Section 4850 of the Labor Code, whichever occurs later, an employee will not be eligible for the benefits listed below:
• accrual of sick leave and vacation,
• cell phone allowance,
• car allowance and
• holiday pay for Fire Battalion Chiefs working a 112 hour/pay period schedule.
On the day that the employee returns to work from the extended leave of absence, the employee will resume eligibility for the abovementioned benefits and the employee’s vacation anniversary date and seniority (calculation of continuous service with the City) will be adjusted for each calendar day the leave of absence lasted beyond 84 consecutive
calendar days or the completion of a leave of absence related to Section 4850 of the Labor Code, whichever was longer. 11. Paid Family Leave
Effective January 1, 2020, per Administrative Order No. 84, all management employees will be eligible for 160 hours per year of paid family leave to care for an immediate family member or bond with a new child.
Separation Compensation
All management employees involuntarily separated from the City service due to budget cutbacks, layoffs, contracting out of service or for other reasons not due to misconduct which would justify involuntary separation shall receive one month’s salary computed at the employee's actual salary at
the time of separation. Holidays All management employees shall be paid holidays in accordance with the schedule of eleven (11)
holidays as established by the City Council. The scheduled paid holidays that will be official City
holidays shall be as follows: New Year’s Day Columbus Day Martin Luther King’s Birthday Veterans Day Presidents’ Day Thanksgiving Day
Memorial Day Thanksgiving Friday
Independence Day Christmas Day Labor Day Fire Battalion Chiefs are compensated for holidays in the manner outlined below.
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 19 of 32
Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
14 Revised 7/26/2022
1) Suppression personnel on an administrative assignment are ineligible for the holiday pay
listed above. These personnel will receive straight time pay when they are regularly scheduled to work on the holidays listed above. 2) Fire Prevention personnel and personnel on a non-occupational injury light/modified duty
assignment will be eligible to have the day off with pay on the holidays listed above.
3) Suppression personnel working a 112 hour/pay period schedule and personnel on an occupational injury light/modified duty assignment shall be compensated for an additional twelve (12) hours of holiday pay (using a base salary rate that excludes additional pays)
on the day the holiday occurs.
Only employees who are on employed status on their last scheduled work day before a holiday shall be entitled to the paid holiday except where otherwise required by law.
Effective July 1, 2019, all management employees, including Fire Safety Management employees,
will receive two floating holidays per fiscal year, each year on July 1st. The floating holiday may be used at the discretion of the employee with prior approval of the employee’s supervisor. The floating holiday must be taken as a full day off. There is no partial day
use of a floating holiday. The floating holiday pay is paid at straight time equal to the number of
hours in the employee’s regular work shift on that day. Unused floating holidays will not carry over to the next fiscal year and will not paid out upon separation of employment. Health Benefits
Management employees will participate in a flexible benefits program which includes medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance (AD&D). Each of these components is outlined below.
1. Benefits Credits and Medical Insurance
Management employees will be covered by the Public Employees’ Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA) and will be eligible to participate in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Health Program. The City will pay on behalf of all management employees and their eligible dependents and those retirees mentioned in the section of this
document titled, “Health Insurance for Retirees,” the minimum amount per month required
under Government Code Section 22892 of the PEMHCA for medical insurance through the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). If electing to enroll for medical benefits, the employee must select one medical plan from the variety of medical plans offered.
The City will contribute monthly amounts (called “Benefits Credits”) on behalf of each active
management employee and eligible dependents toward the payment of medical premiums under the CalPERS Health Program. The city contribution shall be based on the employee’s medical coverage level and shall include the mandatory payments to CalPERS. If the actual total premiums exceed the city’s total contributions, the employee will pay the difference.
Excess and Unused Benefits Credits: If the Benefits Credits exceeds the cost of the medical
insurance purchased by the employee, the employee will have the option of using any “excess
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 20 of 32
Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
15 Revised 7/26/2022
credits” to purchase city-sponsored dental insurance, vision insurance, accidental death and
dismemberment (AD&D) insurance or to contribute to a healthcare or dependent care flexible
spending account (FSA). Unused Benefits Credits will be paid to the employee in cash and reported as taxable income.
Effective January 1 of each calendar year, the City monthly Benefits Credits will change for
each coverage level. The monthly Benefits Credits associated with each medical coverage level
(except waive medical) will be set to dollar amounts that equate to 80% of the average health (medical, dental and vision) premium for Employee, Employee Plus One and Family coverage levels, rounded to the nearest whole dollar based on the premiums that will take effect on January 1 of the respective calendar year.
All management employees who work three quarter-time or less will receive prorated Benefits Credits. 2. Dental Insurance
Management employees will be eligible to enroll in or waive enrollment in a City-sponsored
dental plan at any coverage level. 3. Vision Insurance Management employees will be eligible to enroll in or waive enrollment in a City-sponsored
vision insurance plan at any coverage level.
4. Waiver Provision Management employees who do not wish to participate in the CalPERS Health Program will have the choice of waiving the City’s medical insurance program, provided they can show that
they are covered under another group insurance program.
Effective the pay period that includes January 1, 2023, the benefits credits associated with waiving medical coverage will be set equal to $400 dollars per month.
Health Insurance for Retirees
Effective January 1, 2001, management employees will be covered by the Public Employees’ Medical and Hospital Care Act and will be eligible to participate in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Health Program. Management employees who retire
from the City, either service or disability, shall be eligible to continue their enrollment in the
CalPERS Health Program when they retire, provided that the individual is enrolled or eligible to enroll in a CalPERS medical plan at the time of separation from employment and their effective date of retirement is within 120 days of separation. The City will contribute the minimum amount per month required under Government Code Section 22892 of the PEMHCA toward the cost of
each retiree’s enrollment in the CalPERS Health Program.
Employees who retire from the City, either service or disability, shall be eligible to elect, upon retirement to participate in the City’s dental and/or vision insurance programs as a retiree. The cost of such dental and/or vision insurance for the retiree and eligible dependents shall be borne solely
by the retiree. An individual who does not choose coverage upon retirement, or who chooses
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 21 of 32
Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
16 Revised 7/26/2022
coverage and later drops it is not eligible to return to the City’s dental and vision insurance
program.
The City will invoice the retiree for his/her monthly premiums for dental and/or vision insurance and the retiree must keep such payments current to ensure continued coverage.
Physical Fitness Reimbursement All management employees shall be eligible for reimbursement of up to the amount of four hundred fifty dollars ($450) during each fiscal year for the costs associated with physical fitness.
Each employee claiming reimbursement shall be required to submit original receipts to the Human
Resources department for approval and reimbursement. The physical fitness reimbursement is offered to management employees to promote optimum health. Services include, but are not limited to: health assessment testing and examinations,
computerized heart risk profile, complete blood profile, fees paid to physical fitness providers,
nutritional assessment and diet program. Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
Short-Term Disability
Effective January 1, 2020, short-term disability insurance is available for all management employees and the insurance premium is paid by the city. The insurance shall provide for a seven (7) calendar day waiting period prior to payment eligibility and the short-term disability benefits shall be provided at 60% of the employee’s pre-disability base salary, up to a maximum base salary
of $150,000.
Long-Term Disability Long-term disability is available for all management employees and the insurance premium is paid by the city. Effective January 1, 2020, the waiting period prior to payment eligibility shall be ninety
(90) calendar days and the long-term disability benefits shall be provided at 66 2/3% of the
employee’s pre-disability base salary, up to a maximum base salary of $150,000. Use of Accrued Paid Time Off While Receiving Disability Benefits The employee shall use their accrued paid time off (e.g., vacation, sick leave) during the disability
insurance waiting period. The employee shall combine accrued paid time off, except for accrued
sick leave, with short-term and long-term disability payments for the purpose of achieving the equivalent of their base salary while receiving the disability payments. Transition/Continuation of Benefits for Employees on a Short-Term or Long-Term Disability Leave
of Absence as of December 31, 2019
An employee who is on a short-term or long-term disability leave of absence as of December 31, 2019 (including an intermittent leave), will be converted to short-term and/or long-term coverage with the city’s new disability insurance provider as of January 1, 2020 without having to repeat the waiting period.
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 22 of 32
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17 Revised 7/26/2022
Deferred Compensation
The City shall provide deferred compensation plan(s) which may be utilized by any management employee. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any particular plan and to impose specific conditions upon the use of any plan. It is acknowledged that the City will assist in the administration of this benefit but that the City has no liability if an employee should default on the
repayment of such a loan.
Drug and Alcohol Policy It is the policy of the City of Carlsbad to provide a work environment free from the effects of drugs
and alcohol consistent with the directives of the Drug Free Workplace Act.
The City provides a voluntary Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to assist employees who seek help for substance abuse or other personal problems affecting work or family life. This program is available to employees and their family members and offers 24-hour access to confidential
professional EAP assistance for emergency or urgent situations. For more specific information,
contact the Human Resources Department or visit the City’s intranet site. Uniform Reimbursement & Reporting the Value of Uniforms to CalPERS
Reimbursement to the Police Chief and Assistant Police Chief for the cost of purchasing and
maintenance of required uniforms shall be $34.62 per pay period. Effective May 31, 2010, all fire management employees who are required to wear City-provided uniforms will have the amount of $17.31 reported to CalPERS bi-weekly as special compensation
related to the monetary value of the required uniforms, excluding boots.
Under PEPRA, this benefit is not reported to CalPERS as special compensation for new members. Fire Safety Management
1. Post-Retirement Healthcare Trust
Employees promoted into a fire safety management classification from a position represented by CFA, Inc. after the establishment of the post-retirement healthcare trust by CFA, Inc. shall contribute into the post-retirement healthcare trust established by CFA, Inc. via payroll deductions
until participation by CFA, Inc., in this type of trust is terminated. The employee contribution
amount shall be equal to the amount established for employees represented by CFA, Inc. In addition, the city will make monthly contributions per fire safety management employee who is contributing to the trust. The city contribution amount will be equal to the amount established for employees represented by CFA, Inc. The City has no administrative responsibilities or liabilities
related to this benefit, other than processing of payroll contributions as described above.
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 23 of 32
Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
18 Revised 7/26/2022
2. Overtime
The classifications of Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, Fire Division Chief, Fire Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal are exempt from overtime requirements under FLSA. However, Fire Battalion Chiefs are paid at their base hourly rate of pay, which is derived by dividing the Fire Battalion Chief’s weekly salary by 40 hours for an employee on an 80 hour/pay period schedule and 56
hours for an employee on a 112 hour/pay period schedule, for the actual hours the Fire Battalion
Chief spends covering for a Battalion Chief who is on a leave of absence or deployed and when they are directed to attend a mandatory training class or meeting associated with the rank of Battalion Chief on a non-scheduled work day.
Effective Aug. 8, 2022, a Fire Division Chief and/or the Assistant Fire Chief, with prior
approval from the Fire Chief, may fill a shift Fire Battalion Chief opening under the conditions outlined below. 1) The shift opening remains unfilled after all off-duty Fire Battalion Chiefs have been given first right of refusal to work the shift opening but are unavailable.
2) While “working down,” a Fire Division Chief or Assistant Fire Chief may only
perform the duties of a shift Fire Battalion Chief. 3) The Fire Division Chief or Assistant Fire Chief “working down” in the rank of shift Fire Battalion Chief will be compensated at a shift Fire Battalion Chief pay rate (i.e., the Fire Battalion Chief bi-weekly pay range maximum divided by 112) for all hours
worked outside the Fire Division Chief’s or Assistant Fire Chief’s regular work
week. Employees in the classification of Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, Fire Division Chief and Fire Marshal who are assigned to a mutual aid incident (not automatic aid) (either outside or within
the City of Carlsbad) are compensated for regularly scheduled hours. In addition, the employee
will be paid at their base hourly rate of pay, which is derived by dividing their weekly salary by 40 hours for all hours, beginning at the time of dispatch until return to jurisdiction (portal to portal). Employees in the classification of Fire Battalion Chief who are assigned to the emergency location are paid at a rate of 1.5 their base hourly rate of pay, which is derived by
dividing their base weekly rate by 40 hours, for hours worked in excess of their normally
scheduled work shift beginning at the time of dispatch to the return to jurisdiction (portal to portal). 3. Fire Battalion Chief Administrative Assignments
While a Fire Battalion Chief is on an administrative assignment, the employee' s hourly rate will be converted from a 112 hour/pay period schedule rate to an 80 hour/pay period schedule rate. While appointed or assigned to an administrative position (80 hour/pay period schedule), the employee shall receive an additional 15 percent (15%) above their base hourly pay rate.
A Fire Battalion Chief who is assigned to an 80 hour/pay period schedule administrative assignment will not be available to work shift overtime on days they are assigned to an administrative assignment unless authorized by the Fire Chief or his/her designee. Employees are authorized to work suppression overtime during hours they are not assigned to
administration.
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 24 of 32
Management Compensation and Benefits Plan
19 Revised 7/26/2022
A Fire Battalion Chief working an 80 hour/pay period schedule who works a suppression
overtime shift, not including overhead assignments, will have their pay rate converted to the 112
hour/pay period rate while working on the suppression overtime shift. This rate shall not
include the 15% administrative assignment pay.
4. Moving Between an 80 Hour/Pay Period Work Schedule and a 112 Hour/Pay Period Work Schedule
When a Fire Battalion Chief changes from a 112 hour/pay period schedule to an 80 hour/pay
period schedule, the employee’s vacation balance (number of hours of accrued and unused vacation) is divided by 1.4 so that the dollar value of the employee’s vacation balance at the time of the change remains the same.
When a Fire Battalion Chief changes from an 80 hour/pay period schedule to a 112 hour/pay
period schedule, the employee’s vacation balance (number of hours of accrued and unused vacation) is multiplied by 1.4 so that the dollar value of the employee’s vacation balance at the time of the change remains the same.
5. The city will comply with the Firefighter Bill of Rights Procedures for those Fire Management
employees who are afforded rights pursuant to Government Code Section 3254.5 of the California Firefighter Procedural Bill of Rights Act (FBOR). 6. Employees in the classifications of Fire Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal shall be eligible for
COVID-19 Emergency Responder Leave as outlined in the side letter agreement between the
CFA and the City of Carlsbad relating to COVID-19 Emergency Responder Leave. Special Assignment and Temporary Upgrade Pay Whenever the needs of the City require an employee to temporarily perform the duties of a job
classification that has a higher pay range than the pay range associated with their current job
classification for a period of more than twenty-one (21) calendar days, the employee shall be designated as being in a special assignment and receive additional temporary upgrade pay. In such cases, the employee shall be paid at an appropriate level which will assure an increase of not less than five percent (5%) greater than his/her current salary. Subsequent to designation in a special
assignment, in the event that the situation changes and the City does not need the employee to serve
in the assignment for at least twenty-one (21) consecutive calendar days, the employee shall receive the temporary upgrade pay for that period of time the assignment lasts. In the event that at the beginning of a special assignment, it is not perceived that the assignment will last at least twenty-one (21) consecutive calendar days, and the assignment nonetheless extends beyond twenty-one
(21) consecutive calendar days, the employee in the assignment shall receive the temporary upgrade
pay retroactive to the first day of the acting assignment. No employee shall be required to perform any of the duties of a higher classification unless that employee is deemed to possess the minimum qualifications of the higher classification by the
Human Resources Director as recommended by the affected Department Head. Exceptions to the
minimum qualifications criteria may be recommended by the affected Department Head on a case by case basis. If the employee does not meet the minimum qualifications for the higher classification he/she shall receive not less than 2.5% temporary upgrade pay.
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 25 of 32
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20 Revised 7/26/2022
The temporary upgrade pay shall commence on the first (1st) calendar day of the special
assignment. The recommendation that an employee be placed in a special assignment shall be put in writing by the affected Department Head and submitted to the Human Resources Director for approval. The employee shall not serve for more than one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days in a special assignment unless approved by the City Manager or his/her designee.
If an employee is on a leave of absence (paid or unpaid and except when leave is ordered by the city) for more than twenty-one (21) calendar days, the temporary upgrade pay associated with their special assignment shall cease on the twenty-second (22nd) day. On the day that the employee returns to work, if the supervisor determines that the employee is required to continue to perform
the duties of the special assignment, the temporary upgrade pay will resume as of the day the
employee returns to work.
A person in a special assignment shall be eligible to receive pay increases in his/her regular position during the special assignment. The Human Resources Director shall obtain the employee’s consent
for the special assignment prior to the employee’s assuming or continuing the duties and additional
compensation, which shall clearly state that it is understood that a reduction in salary will occur due to cessation of the temporary upgrade pay upon the expiration of the need for the special assignment.
Educational Incentive
Effective January 1, 2019, employees in the classifications of Police Chief and Assistant Police Chief who present proof to the Professional Standards Division Sergeant, Carlsbad Police Department, of evidence of the award of a Management certificate issued by the State of California
Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) will be eligible to receive
educational incentive pay in the amount of four hundred sixty-two dollars ($462) biweekly. Eligibility for receiving the compensation will be based upon the date the employee provides evidence of eligibility to the Professional Standards Division Sergeant. It is the sole responsibility of the employee to make notification of eligibility for the educational incentive pay.
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 26 of 32
Exhibit 2
Item #7 Page 27 of 32July 26, 2022
ORDINANCE NO. CS-429
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 2.04 BY
ADDING SECTION 2.04.025 REGARDING BENEFITS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad provides its elected officials with the same benefit programs
available to unrepresented management employees for retirement, health and welfare; and
WHEREAS, these benefit programs were first made available to elected officials when the city
was a general law city subject to the provisions of the California Government Code regarding
compensation and benefits for elected officials including California Government Code Section 36516,
subdivision(d); and
WHEREAS, the voters of the City of Carlsbad at the June 3, 2008, election voted to change the
powers and duties of the City of Carlsbad by adopting a City Charter; and
WHEREAS, under the California Constitution, the City Council has plenary authority to legislate
matters of local concern notwithstanding general laws to the contrary; and
WHEREAS, the compensation and benefits of elected officials in the City of Carlsbad is a matter
of local concern; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to clarify the types of benefit programs available to the city's
elected officials and whether the amounts paid for those benefits are included for purposes of
determining the salary of elected officials.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, ordains as follows that:
1. The above recitations are true and correct.
2. Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter 2.04 is amended by the addition of Section 2.04.025
to read as follows:
2.04.025 Benefits -Elected officials
The city shall make available to each elected official the same benefit programs available
to unrepresented management employees for retirement, health and welfare. Amounts
provided to elected officials for retirement, health and welfare, or payments made to
elected officials in lieu of receiving such benefits, shall not be included for purposes of
determining compensation under Sections 2.04.010 or 2.04.020.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance shall be effective thirty days after its adoption; and the City
Clerk shall certify the adoption of this ordinance and cause the full text of the ordinance or a summary
of the ordinance prepared by the City Attorney to be published at least once in a newspaper of general
circulation in the City of Carlsbad within fifteen days after its adoption.
INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a Regular Meeting of the Carlsbad City Council on the 26th
day of !\!!Y, 2022, and thereafter
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad on the_ day of ___ _, 2022, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
CINDIE K. McMAHON, City Attorney
MATT HALL, Mayor
FAVIOLA MEDINA, City Clerk Services Manager
(SEAL)
Item #7 Page 28 of 32July 26, 2022
Exhibit 3
1 Revised 1/17/2022
Health Benefits
Management employees will participate in a flexible benefits program which includes medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance (AD&D). Each of these components is outlined below.
1.Benefits Credits and Medical Insurance
Management employees will be covered by the Public Employees’ Medical and Hospital CareAct (PEMHCA) and will be eligible to participate in the California Public Employees’Retirement System (CalPERS) Health Program. The City will pay on behalf of all managementemployees and their eligible dependents and those retirees mentioned in the section of this
document titled, “Health Insurance for Retirees,” the minimum amount per month required
under Government Code Section 22892 of the PEMHCA for medical insurance through theCalifornia Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). If electing to enroll for medicalbenefits, the employee must select one medical plan from the variety of medical plans offered.
Effective January 1, 2018, theThe City will contribute the following monthly amounts (called
“Benefits Credits”) on behalf of each active management employee and eligible dependentstoward the payment of 1) medical premiums under the CalPERS Health Program. The citycontribution shall be based on the employee’s medical coverage level and shall include themandatory payments to CalPERS. If the actual total premiums exceed the city’s total
contributions, the employee will pay the difference.
Excess and Unused Benefits Credits: If the Benefits Credits exceeds the cost of the medicalinsurance purchased by the employee, the employee will have the option of using any “excesscredits” to purchase city-sponsored dental insurance, vision insurance, accidental death anddismemberment (AD&D) insurance or to contribute to a healthcare or dependent care flexible
spending account (FSA). Unused Benefits Credits will be paid to the employee in cash and
reported as taxable income.
, 2) contributions in the name of the employee to the City’s flexible spending account(s), 3)dental premiums 4) vision premiums and/or 5) accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)premiums:
(a)For employees with “Employee” coverage, the City shall contribute fivehundred seventy-three ($573) per month that shall include the mandatorypayments to CalPERS. If the actual total premiums exceed the City’s totalcontributions, the employee will pay the difference.
(b)For employees with “Employee Plus One” coverage, the City shall contributeone thousand one hundred forty-six dollars ($1,146) per month that shallinclude the mandatory payments to CalPERS. If the actual total premiumsexceed the City’s total contributions, the employee will pay the difference.
(c)For employees with “Family” coverage, the City shall contribute onethousand five hundred two dollars ($1,502) per month that shall include themandatory payments to CalPERS. If the actual total premiums exceed theCity’s total contributions, the employee will pay the difference.
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 29 of 32
Exhibit 3
2 Revised 1/17/2022
Subsequently, eEffective January 1 of each calendar year, the City monthly Benefits Credits will
change for each coverage level. The monthly Benefits Credits associated with each medical
coverage level (except waive medical) will be set to dollar amounts that equate to 80% of the average health (medical, dental and vision) premium for Employee, Employee Plus One and Family coverage levels, rounded to the nearest whole dollar based on the premiums that will take effect on January 1 of the respective calendar year.
Unused Benefits Credits as outlined above will be paid to the employee in cash and reported as taxable income. If the amount contributed by the City (Benefits Credits) exceeds the cost of the medical insurance purchased by the employee, the employee will have the option of using any “excess credits” to purchase dental, vision, or accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
insurance or to contribute to a healthcare or dependent care flexible spending account (FSA),
instead of receiving taxable cash. All management employees who work three quarter-time or less will receive prorated Benefits Credits.
2. Dental Insurance Management employees will be eligible to enroll in or waive enrollment in a City-sponsored dental plan at any coverage level.
3. Vision Insurance
Management employees will be eligible to enroll in or waive enrollment in a City-sponsored vision insurance plan at any coverage level. 4. Waiver Provision
Management employees who do not wish to participate in the CalPERS Health Program will
have the choice of waiving the City’s medical insurance program, provided they can show that they are covered under another group insurance program. Effective the pay period that includes January 1, 2023, the benefits credits associated with
waiving medical coverage will be set equal to $400 dollars per month.The dollar amount paid
by the City for employees who elect the waiver provision may change in the first pay period of each calendar year. The Benefits Credits associated with waiving medical coverage will be set equal to 50% of the Benefits Credits associated with Employee medical coverage. If this results in a situation where the unused benefit credits associated with any medical plan exceed the
benefit credits associated with waiving medical coverage, the benefit credits associated with
waiving medical coverage will be set equal to one dollar ($1) above the unused benefit credits associated with that medical plan. Unused Benefits Credits as outlined above will be paid to the employee in cash and reported as
taxable income.
Fire Safety Management 1. Post-Retirement Healthcare Trust
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 30 of 32
Exhibit 3
3 Revised 1/17/2022
Employees promoted into a fire safety management classification from a position represented by
CFA, Inc. after the establishment of the post-retirement healthcare trust by CFA, Inc. shall
contribute into the post-retirement healthcare trust established by CFA, Inc. via payroll deductions until participation by CFA, Inc., in this type of trust is terminated. The employee contribution amount shall be equal to the amount established for employees represented by CFA, Inc. In addition, the city will make monthly contributions per fire safety management employee who is
contributing to the trust. The city contribution amount will be equal to the amount established for
employees represented by CFA, Inc. The City has no administrative responsibilities or liabilities related to this benefit, other than processing of payroll contributions as described above.
2. Overtime
The classifications of Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, Fire Division Chief, Fire Battalion Chief
and Fire Marshal are exempt from overtime requirements under FLSA. However, Fire Battalion Chiefs are paid at their base hourly rate of pay, which is derived by dividing the Fire Battalion Chief’s weekly salary by 40 hours for an employee on an 80 hour/pay period schedule and 56 hours for an employee on a 112 hour/pay period schedule, for the actual hours the Fire Battalion
Chief spends covering for a Battalion Chief who is on a leave of absence or deployed and when they are directed to attend a mandatory training class or meeting associated with the rank of Battalion Chief on a non-scheduled work day. Effective Aug. 8, 2022, a Fire Division Chief and/or the Assistant Fire Chief, with prior
approval from the Fire Chief, may fill a shift Fire Battalion Chief opening under the conditions
outlined below. 1) The shift opening remains unfilled after all off-duty Fire Battalion Chiefs have been given first right of refusal to work the shift opening but are unavailable. 2) While “working down,” a Fire Division Chief or Assistant Fire Chief may only
perform the duties of a shift Fire Battalion Chief.
3) The Fire Division Chief or Assistant Fire Chief “working down” in the rank of shift Fire Battalion Chief will be compensated at a shift Fire Battalion Chief pay rate (i.e., the Fire Battalion Chief bi-weekly pay range maximum divided by 112) for all hours worked outside the Fire Division Chief’s or Assistant Fire Chief’s regular work
week. Employees in the classification of Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, Fire Division Chief and Fire Marshal who are assigned to a mutual aid incident (not automatic aid) (either outside or within the City of Carlsbad) are compensated for regularly scheduled hours. In addition, the employee
will be paid at their base hourly rate of pay, which is derived by dividing their weekly salary by 40 hours for all hours, beginning at the time of dispatch until return to jurisdiction (portal to portal). Employees in the classification of Fire Battalion Chief who are assigned to the emergency location are paid at a rate of 1.5 their base hourly rate of pay, which is derived by dividing their base weekly rate by 40 hours, for hours worked in excess of their normally
scheduled work shift beginning at the time of dispatch to the return to jurisdiction (portal to portal). 3. Fire Battalion Chief Administrative Assignments
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 31 of 32
Exhibit 3
4 Revised 1/17/2022
While a Fire Battalion Chief is on an administrative assignment, the employee' s hourly rate will
be converted from a 112 hour/pay period schedule rate to an 80 hour/pay period schedule rate.
While appointed or assigned to an administrative position (80 hour/pay period schedule), the employee shall receive an additional 15 percent (15%) above their base hourly pay rate.
A Fire Battalion Chief who is assigned to an 80 hour/pay period schedule administrative
assignment will not be available to work shift overtime on days they are assigned to an
administrative assignment unless authorized by the Fire Chief or his/her designee. Employees are authorized to work suppression overtime during hours they are not assigned to administration.
A Fire Battalion Chief working an 80 hour/pay period schedule who works a suppression
overtime shift, not including overhead assignments, will have their pay rate converted to the 112
hour/pay period rate while working on the suppression overtime shift. This rate shall not
include the 15% administrative assignment pay.
4. Moving Between an 80 Hour/Pay Period Work Schedule and a 112 Hour/Pay Period WorkSchedule
When a Fire Battalion Chief changes from a 112 hour/pay period schedule to an 80 hour/payperiod schedule, the employee’s vacation balance (number of hours of accrued and unusedvacation) is divided by 1.4 so that the dollar value of the employee’s vacation balance at thetime of the change remains the same.
When a Fire Battalion Chief changes from an 80 hour/pay period schedule to a 112 hour/payperiod schedule, the employee’s vacation balance (number of hours of accrued and unusedvacation) is multiplied by 1.4 so that the dollar value of the employee’s vacation balance at thetime of the change remains the same.
5.The city will comply with the Firefighter Bill of Rights Procedures for those Fire Managementemployees who are afforded rights pursuant to Government Code Section 3254.5 of theCalifornia Firefighter Procedural Bill of Rights Act (FBOR).
6.Employees in the classifications of Fire Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal shall be eligible for
COVID-19 Emergency Responder Leave as outlined in the side letter agreement between theCFA and the City of Carlsbad relating to COVID-19 Emergency Responder Leave.
July 26, 2022 Item #7 Page 32 of 32
Management Compensation and
Benefits Plan Revisions and Elected
Officials Benefits Ordinance
Debbie Porter, Sr Management Analyst
Cindie McMahon, Assistant City Attorney
July 26, 2022
{ City of
Carlsbad
OVERVIEW
•Assistant Fire Chief/Division Fire Chief filling vacant
Battalion Chief work shifts
•Health benefit credits for unrepresented management
employees who waive medical insurance
•Ordinance to formalize city’s longstanding practice re:
benefits for elected officials
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
{ City of
Carlsbad
FIRE BATTALION CHIEFS
•Manage fire suppression duty staff
•Work 24-hour shifts, 365 days/year
•Follow “constant staffing” requirement
•Has resulted in working consecutive shifts for
up to multiple weeks
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Proposed solution
•Asst. Fire Chief and Fire Division Chiefs fill the 24-
hour shift, if necessary
•Paid at Battalion Chief rate
•Only perform Battalion Chief duties
HEALTH BENEFITS
•City contribution to employee health benefits is
based on a formula
•Contribution for employees who waive medical
insurance has fluctuated between approx. $300 and
$500 per month
•To provide stable, predictable cost for the “waive”
health benefit, staff recommends changing it to $400
per month on Jan. 1, 2023
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
ELECTED OFFICIALS –
BENEFIT PLANS
•Elected officials receive the same retirement and
health benefits as unrepresented management
employees
•Practice established when city was a general law
city
•Authorized by and consistent with state law
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
{city of
Carlsbad
PROPOSED ORDINANCE
•Carlsbad Municipal Code sets the salary for
elected officials, but does not address
benefits for elected officials
•State law specifies that benefits are not
used for purposes of determining the salary
of elected officials
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
( City of
Carlsbad
PROPOSED ORDINANCE
•Proposed ordinance amends municipal code to
formalize the city’s long-standing practice
•Clarifies benefits are not considered for
purposes of determining elected officials’
salary
•Provides further transparency for the public
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
( City of
Carlsbad
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1.Adopt a resolution approving the proposed
revisions to the Management Compensation
and Benefits Plan.
2.Introduce an ordinance adding CMC Section
2.04.025 regarding benefits for elected
officials.
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
{ City of
Carlsbad