The Scottsdale City Council has approved a plan from City Manager Greg Caton that will increase compensation for staff in some of the city’s most essential service areas — police communications and water operations and maintenance.

Through Resolution No. 13533, the City Council unanimously endorsed market-based compensation adjustments aimed at reducing chronic vacancies among the city’s police dispatchers — the first first responders — and water operations staff. These adjustments will help Scottsdale remain competitive in recruiting and retaining highly skilled professionals who are vital to the city’s safety and daily operations.

The changes follow a review that found persistent vacancy rates — about 36% in police communications and 14% in water operations — as other cities increased pay to attract trained professionals. The compensation adjustments will take effect Nov. 2.

“Dispatchers are the calm, capable voices our residents hear in their moments of greatest need, and our water operations staff ensure safe, reliable service around the clock, each and every day,” said City Manager Greg Caton. “These are mission-critical roles, and this plan makes sure Scottsdale stays competitive in attracting and keeping the people who perform this absolutely essential work.”

The plan raises salary ranges for several positions in both departments and establishes a new Police Communications Trainer classification to strengthen recruitment and training. For police communications, pay adjustments will align with leading regional agencies, one of whom recently filled all dispatcher vacancies after making similar market-based pay changes.

Caton added that the City Council's recent public safety compensation philosophy resolution and this vacancy-reduction plan demonstrate their strong commitment to the people behind the city’s success.

“Through these resolutions, the City Council is backing up our commitment to public safety, reliability and service excellence with meaningful action that supports our employees and our community.”

The full details of the Council’s action are contained in Resolution No. 13533, available at ScottsdaleAZ.gov.