Council considers awarding city staff $250 each

Maricopa’s 194 full-time employees, including police officers and firefighters, could see a little extra cash coming their way.

The city council will consider a request Tuesday to award every full-time city employee $250 as part of an outstanding Organizational Performance Award. In addition, employees who receive ratings of  meets or exceeds expectations on their annual performance reviews will be given 10 hours for a floating holiday on July 1 and again on July 1, 2014. 

According to a city staff report, the award is being requested to recognize the efforts of employees during hard times. 

“The city recognizes that (the) city and its employees have been through tough economic times together and as a result, employees were required to do more work with less staff while maintaining excellent customer services,” the report states. “The city recognizes these tough times and the resulting harder and smarter work by its employees. This has allowed the city to continue maintaining a high standard of performance and customer service to our community.” 

The council will consider approving a fund transfer of no more than $65,000 from the city’s contingency money to pay for the award. If approved, $250 would be given to employees during the next pay period. 

The floating holiday hours given to city employees based on their evaluations must be used within the fiscal year awarded, according to the report. They have to be used according to department policies and will not “be paid out upon the employee’s separation with the city.” 

When city employees are evaluated, they are given a general rating of either “exceeds expectations,” “meets expectations” or “does not meet expectations.” 

According to the city’s performance review guidelines, those with a review of “exceeds expectations” are employees who have “mastered their current position and have high potential for career advancement.” 

The guidelines also note: “These employees may also run the risk of leaving the city of Maricopa because of boredom or lack of career advancement opportunities.”