Mayor Stimpson announces early pay raise for City of Mobile employees

Dec 30th, 2014

MOBILE, Ala. - Mayor Sandy Stimpson announced today that he will implement a pay raise for city employees three months ahead of schedule, citing the city's improved financial condition.

"From day one of my administration, I've committed to fight for the well-being of both the citizens of Mobile and the employees of the city," said Stimpson. "We need to continuously provide the employees the tools, resources and training needed to deliver exceptional results to the citizens in a customer service-friendly way.

Stimpson proposed two raises as part of the fiscal 2015 budget. The first was a cost of living adjustment of 2.5 percent that took effect on October 1, 2014, at the beginning of the fiscal year. A second increase - a 2.5 percent merit raise - was scheduled to go in effect in April 2015.

Stimpson said the city's financial stewardship and budget management was dramatically improved from a year ago. When the Stimpson administration took office in November 2013, the city was faced with a general fund deficit of negative $4.3 million.

Projections of an even greater deficit in Fiscal Year 2014 caused Stimpson to announce on Dec. 30, 2013, that he would not implement a raise proposed by the previous administration.

Since then, an intensive financial and budget overhaul spearheaded by the Stimpson administration has produced an operating surplus for the City of Mobile.

"A year ago today, I had to stand behind a podium and deliver very disappointing news that the promised pay raise from the previous Administration was not going into effect based on the financial position of the City of Mobile," said Mayor Stimpson. "But due to financial stewardship exhibited across our city all year long, I am finally able to deliver the good news that we are rewarding the hard workers at City Hall with the merit pay raise three months early."

Stimpson credited the city's department heads for continuing to watch their budgets and control costs.

"We are far better off today than we were a year ago, and we look forward to improved results in the coming year," said Stimpson. "Our fiscal situation is improving. It is not where it needs to be, but we are on the right trajectory."