West New York is looking to pay its municipal employees more.
The West New York Board of Commissioners have introduced an ordinance that would increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour for all employees except seasonal part-time positions, and increase salary ranges of various other positions.
“The town of West New York is proud to introduce an ordinance that will increase the minimum wage of our municipal workers, allowing local families to grow, prosper, and invest back in our community and local economy,” Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez said. “The economic effects of the pandemic are still being felt throughout our community and so this is a much needed financial boost.”
The board will hold a public hearing on the ordinance Dec. 15 meeting via Zoom. For more information, go to westnewyorknj.org and click on the event on the calendar webpage.
Under the ordinance, the Mayor would be able to earn up to a yearly maximum of $30,000, up from $20,000, and minimum of $13,500. Commissioners would be able to earn up to a maximum of $29,000, up from $17,500, and a minimum of $13,050.
The Recreation Director would be able to earn up to a yearly maximum of $100,000, up from $90,000, and a minimum of $59,259, down from $60,000. The Tax Collector would be able to earn up to $135,000, up from $125,000, and a minimum of $60,000.
Police, EMTs, and fire
Law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, and fire officials were also included in the pay changes.
Each year, a Police Captain would be able to earn up to a maximum of $190,000, up from $180,000, and a minimum of $133,848. A Police Lieutenant would be able to earn up to a maximum of $182,000, up from $155,000, and a minimum of $110,383.
A Police Sergeant would be able to earn up to a maximum $157,000, up from $135,000, and a minimum of $94,342. A Police Officer would be able to earn up to a maximum of $135,000, up from $110,000, and a minimum of $47,060.
A part-time Dispatcher would be able to earn up to a maximum $19 per hour, up from $15, and a minimum of $10 per hour. A full-time Dispatcher would be able to earn up to a maximum of $37,500 yearly, up from $35,000, and a minimum of $25,000, down from $27,000.
Yearly, an EMT would be able to earn up to a maximum of $60,000, up from $46,000, and a minimum of $35,000. At an hourly rate, an EMT 1 would be able to earn up to a maximum of $20 per hour, up from $18, and a minimum of $14.75 per hour. Likewise, an EMT 2 would be able to earn up to a maximum of $21 per hour, up from $20, and a minimum of $16 per hour.
A Supervising Emergency Medical Technician would be able to earn a maximum of $91,000, up from $46,000, and a minimum of $60,000. A full-time Registered Environmental Health Specialist would be able to earn up to a maximum of $75,000, up from $55,000, and a minimum of $25,000.
Other positions affected
A Building Inspector would be able to earn up to a maximum of $95,000, up from $85,000, and a minimum of $13,500. A Construction Official would be able to earn up to a maximum of $175,000, up from $140,000, and a minimum of $85,955.
An Electrical Sub Code Official would be able to earn up to a maximum of $88,000, up from $74,000, and a minimum of $54,680. A part-time Fire Sub-Code Official would be able to earn up to a maximum of $42 per hour, up from $40 per hour, and a minimum of $18 per hour.
A Truck Driver would be able to earn up to a maximum of $67,000, up from $62,000, and a minimum of $25,934. A Truck Driver Heavy would be able to earn up to a maximum of $72,000, up from $62,000, and a minimum of $25,000. A Crossing Guard would be able to earn up to a maximum of $18 per hour, up from $16 per hour, and a minimum of $10.75 per hour.
A Parking Attendant would be able to earn up to a maximum of $35,000, up from $30,000, and a minimum of $25,800. A part-time Parking Enforcement Officer would be able to earn up to a maximum of $19 per hour, up from $16 per hour, and a minimum of $11 per hour. A full-time Parking Enforcement Officer would be able to earn up to a maximum of $65,000, up from $51,000, and a minimum of $25,800.
The ordinance would also add a number of employment titles and salary ranges.
Public hearing in December
The salary ranges of the remaining employment titles shall remain unchanged. The ordinance, if adopted, would go into effect on Jan. 2022. According to the ordinance, all employees will have a minimum wage of $15 per hour except for seasonal part-time positions. The move is two years ahead of the state minimum wage increase to $15 by 2024.
“We are proud of making this happen two years ahead of schedule,” Rodriguez said. “Our community needs and deserves it.”
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