Los Banos says public safety personnel, city employees will get bump in pay. Here’s why

Police officers, city employees and public safety personnel in Los Banos will receive substantial pay increases due to a surplus of city funds, officials said this week.

The city announced significant pay increases of 10 to 17.5 percent will be given to sworn public safety personnel as well as other full time city employees, according to a news release.

Most of the raises will take effect immediately with some taking effect July 1 next year.

“For many years we’ve been behind the market,” said Los Banos Mayor-elect Paul Llanez, who will be sworn into office on Dec. 7. “Being able to recruit and attract officers is a huge deal for law enforcement and public safety.”

Llanez, who worked in law enforcement for many years, says Los Banos has paid officers 12 to 15% below market for some time.

“Any time it comes to law enforcement, you want them to invest in the city and be a part of the community,” Llanez said. “You don’t just want them to work here. You want them to live here.”

According to city officials, the Los Banos Police Department often loses officers to other surrounding communities because of salary difference.

City officials hope the increase in pay for officers will help Los Banos police get back to full staff. The city currently has six sworn officer openings, according to Interim City Manager Greg Wellman.

“To retain officers we have to put ourselves in a competitive position to recruit officers,” Wellman said.. “Once we get them on board we can retain them.”

The city said it will also provide lump sum bonuses to all full-time employees this year and in July 2023. According to the city, the increases in pay are more than what is stated in the city’s collective bargaining agreements with represented employees that are set to expire in 2024.

The city has experienced a budgetary surplus over the past few years which is mostly due to budgetary savings and increased tax revenue, according to the release.

Because of the resulting surplus and funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, the Los Banos City Council determined salaries had to be addressed to not only recruit but to also retain municipal workers and critical city services, according to the release.

“We are pleased to announce this salary increase,” said Wellman, according to the release. “Not only does the staff deserve the bump, but it will provide a much-needed boost to recruiting and retention for our city.”

According to the release, the city also plans to use surplus funds to add new city positions to manage housing issues. These positions will include a housing program manager to assist with low-income and moderate-income individuals to secure and maintain affordable, quality housing through various programs.

Another position will be a homeless outreach coordinator to act as an advocate for unhoused individuals and can assist clients with navigating systems of care, the release said.