HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10574INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10574
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council April 20, 2021
Page 1 of 1
SUBJECT: COVID INCENTIVE PAYMENTS FOR GENERAL EMPLOYEES
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
The purpose of this Informal Report is to recommend a one-time mid-year lump sum incentive payment of
2% for all General employees since pay-for-performance raises were not provided through the annual
budget process.
It goes without saying that 2020 was an extremely difficult and stressful year for everyone in Fort Worth
and around the country. The pandemic caused changes to virtually every person’s life. The City of Fort
Worth employees, however, were up to the task. Those who worked in the field continued to do so, while
those who normally worked in offices, worked from their homes. Thanks to our dedicated employees, City
services continued and even improved in some cases. Then, in February of 2021, the City of Fort Worth
experienced an unprecedented, once in a generation, winter event. Once again, City employees worked
tirelessly, at times in unsafe conditions, to do great work for the citizens of Fort Worth. We appreciate the
efforts made and all that they have done. Considering the fact that only Civil Service employees received
annual raises, City Management would like to take this opportunity to show General Employees that they
are truly valued.
At the beginning of 2021, all sworn employees, both Police and Fire, had pay increases according to the
Meet and Confer and Collective Bargaining Agreements, respectively. General employees did not receive
any increases due to projected revenue shortfalls tied to the pandemic. The City Manager is therefore
recommending an across the board, one-time lump sum incentive payment of 2% of the annual pay for all
General employees who are employed by the City as of May 21, 2021. This payment would be processed
on the May 28, 2021 paycheck. The one-time cost of the payment would be approximately $4.4M for the
General Fund, and $6.3M in total across all funds. The latest FY2021 budget projections are that revenues
will exceed expenditures in the General fund by approximately $4M. Notwithstanding the current estimate,
City Departments will be asked to absorb as much of the costs as feasible associated with this onetime
payment within their budgets.
The City of Fort Worth employees have stepped up to the challenge and continue to work tirelessly for the
citizens of this great City. This is a strong way to say thank you for their hard work and dedication. The
pandemic is not over and there is more work to be done, but together, and with the help of every employee
at the City, we are getting through it. An action item requesting support for this initiative will be placed on
the May 4th City Council agenda for Council consideration.
Please contact Jay Chapa, Deputy City Manager, if you have any questions.
David Cooke
City Manager