Pay is going up for non-unionized Rapid City municipal employees.
The decision was made by the Rapid City Common Council at this weeks’ meeting.
Ward 3 Councilor Kevin Maher said it’s a three percent cost of living adjustment.
“This is not a time to not take care of our employees – they take care of us," Maher said. "Rapid City for seven months in a row has had the lowest unemployment rate in the nation at 1.8 percent, and we can’t afford to lose city employees to other businesses.”
This raise was previously negotiated, though questions in the political process held the change up from its expected July 1 deadline. That drew critique from advocates for city employees.
Ward 5 Councilor Rod Pettigrew said the board never intended to deny raises.
“As a City Council, the only area we have in the city to control spending, to manage spending is the general fund, and (raises) come out of the general fund, so that’s why we’re asking the questions," Pettigrew said. "Our employees work hard, they’re on the job, put in long hours, I appreciate every one of them. We’re just doing our job – due diligence – to make sure our I’s are dotted and our T’s are crossed. I’ll support this, because our employees are entitled to it.”
The proposal with included back pay to July 1 was passed unanimously.