City officials in Portales are considering a hiring freeze and cutting scheduled pay raises for non-hourly employees.
The proposals from City Manager Doug Redmond are part of his plan to deal with a tight city budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Redmond told the Portales News-Tribune that step increases for management and salaried employees scheduled after July 1 would be frozen. Hourly employees should get a 2 percent cost of living increase in January.
Raises that were planned for the budget year ending June 30 will still be awarded.
City officials plan to meet with employee groups to discuss the pay and hiring freezes.
The budget plan still needs City Council approval. Councilman Leo Lovett says the proposal is better than increasing health insurance rates.
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Information from: Portales News-Tribune.
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