2026-001 Civil Service Compensation Survey October 3, 2025 Report No. 2026-001
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Provide an update regarding the Civil Service Salary Survey(s) per Meet and Confer for Civil
Service employees.
BACKGROUND:
As part of the Police and Fire Meet and Confer Agreements ("Agreements") adopted by City
Council on September 27, 2023 and September 19, 2023 respectively, establishes
Labor/Management Pay Subcommittees to survey comparator cities in May of each year. The
Agreements state "The recommendation [for pay] will propose that the minimum and maximum
base pay for each rank will receive an increase(should an increase be required)to match the survey
average plus five percent (5%).
DISCUSSION:
Per Article 10 of the Agreements, salary surveys were distributed to the thirteen (13) comparator
cities requesting compensation for specific ranks as defined in the Agreements and responses were
received from all.
Please see the attached survey results and memos for more information.
CONCLUSION:
Due to the current financial state,the FY 2025-2026 budget did not include adjustments consistent
with the salary survey(s); however, eligible Police Officers and Firefighters who meet the
requirements will continue to receive STEP Pay increases at designated intervals throughout the
year as communicated in the August 9, 2025 Budget Workshop.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Police—Pay Subcommittee memo
2. Fire—Pay Subcommittee memo
3. Summary of Survey Results
STAFF CONTACT:
Misty Hambright
Total Rewards Manager
Misty.Hambrightkcityofdenton.com
(940) 349-8573
REQUESTOR: Staff Initiated
IOt Human Resources Department
DENTON 601. E. Hickory St, Suite B, Denton, TX 76205 • (940) 349-8340
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 29, 2025
TO: Sara Hensley, City Manager
CC: Christine Taylor, Assistant City Manager, Finance
FROM: Pay Subcommittee
Eric Beckwith—Denton Police Officers Association
Luiz Martinez—Denton Police Officers Association
Lisa Ross—Denton Police Officers Association
Derek Bradford—Police Deputy Chief
Jessica Robledo—Chief of Police
Tony Salas—Police Assistant Chief
Megan Gilbreath—HR
Sara Kjos—HR
Misty Hambright—HR
Carri Byrd—HR
Rachel Staton—HR
Subject: Police Civil Service Salary Survey
Background
As part of the Police Meet and Confer Agreement("Agreement") adopted by the City Council on
September 27, 2023, the City of Denton and the Police Association established a
Labor/Management Pay Subcommittee to perform a survey of our 13 comparator cities in May of
each year of the agreement.
The agreement states, "The recommendation [for pay] will propose that the minimum and
maximum base pay for each rank will receive an increase(should an increase be required)to match
the survey average plus five percent(5%)."
Due to the current financial state,the FY 2025-2026 budget does not include cost-of-living or merit
adjustments;however, eligible Police Officers who meet the requirements will continue to receive
STEP Pay increases at designated intervals throughout the year.
Please let us know if you have any questions or need further information.
OUR CORE VALUES
Integrity• Fiscal Responsibility• Inclusion•Transparency• Outstanding Customer Service
0
�oF Human Resources Department
DENTON 601. E. Hickory St, Suite B, Denton, TX 76205 • (940) 349-8340
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 29, 2025
TO: Sara Hensley, City Manager
CC: Christine Taylor, Assistant City Manager, Finance
FROM: Pay Subcommittee
Gerald Friend, Fire Association
Eric Strong, Fire Association
David Becker, Assistant Fire Chief
Brian Cox, Assistant Fire Chief
Kenneth Hedges, Fire Chief
Megan Gilbreath, HR
Sara Kjos, HR
Misty Hambright, HR
Carri Byrd, HR
Rachel Staton, HR
SUBJECT: Fire Civil Service Salary Survey
Background
As part of the Fire Meet and Confer Agreement ("Agreement") adopted by the City Council on
September 19,2023,the City of Denton and the Fire Association established a Labor/Management
Pay Subcommittee to perform a survey of our 13 comparator cities in May of each year of the
agreement.
The agreement states, "The recommendation [for pay] will propose that the minimum and
maximum base pay for each rank will receive an increase(should an increase be required)to match
the survey average plus five percent(5%)."
Due to the current financial state,the FY 2025-2026 budget does not include cost-of-living or merit
adjustments; however, eligible Firefighters who meet the requirements will continue to receive
STEP Pay increases at designated intervals throughout the year.
Please let us know if you have any questions or need further information.
OUR CORE VALUES
Integrity• Fiscal Responsibility• Inclusion•Transparency• Outstanding Customer Service
Police Recruit PoliceOffic r Police • •
Police Min Max S#t Of Minj M a. #of Min Max #of Min
eps I StepsSteps
Average of Comparator Cities $81,408 $81,750 1 $84,524 $107,666 7 $117,089 $127,124 3 $135,601
Denton Minimum/Maximum $80,790 $81,563 3 $84,724 $108,831 8 $117,454 $128,733 3 $136,962
% from Market Avg -0.77% -0.23% 0.24% 1.07% 0.31% 1.25% 0.99%
Market Average + 5% 5.77% 5.23% 4.76% 3.93% 4.69% 3.75% 4.01%
Market Average + 5% Base Salary $85,452 $85,829 $88,757 $113,108 $122,963 $133,560 $142,454
Fire Fighter Fire Driver Fire Lieutenant
Fire I I Steps Min I I Steps I I Steps I
Average of Comparator Cities 27.79 35 6.5 35.94 37.88 2.8 39.94 41.84 2.6 43.71
Denton Minimum/Maximum $28.170 $35.370 6 $36.430 $38.430 3 $40.570 $42.530 3 $44.360
% from Market Avg 1.35% 1.05% 1.35% 1.43% 1.55% 1.62% 1.47%
Market Average + 5% 3.65% 3.95% 3.65% 3.57% 3.45% 3.38% 3.53%
Market Average + 5% Base Salary $29.20 $36.77 $37.76 $39.81 $41.97 $43.97 $45.93
.ce Lieutenant
of
$145,492 3
$147,508 3
1.37%
3.63%
$152,863
L ire Captain Fire Battalion Chief
46.23 2.6 49.72 52.84 2.5
$47.000 3 $50.540 $53.700 3
1.64% 1.62% 1.60%
3.36% 3.38% 3.40%
$48.58 $52.25 $55.53