The city of Azle has approved a previously discussed pay raise for its employees. The Azle City Council unanimously voted for the wage hike during a July 15 meeting.
In an effort to retain and attract skilled employees, the city began a comprehensive salary survey using public sector personnel consultants in 2019. The survey included employee salaries of 13 other comparable governmental entities. It resulted in initial pay increases totaling $520,000.
Azle City Manager Tom Muir originally planned to implement the increases once every five years, but the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic factors prompted more frequent action. The next major raise for city employees was in 2022, which cost the city an additional $661,000. Over the last two years, the city has included a 5% cost-of-living adjustment in its annual budget and has substantially reduced the sum the city needs to increase employee pay this year.
