AGENDA TITLE:
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Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Addendum to the Employment Agreement with Jennifer Fontanilla, Library Director, Including Future Wage Adjustments to Bring the Library Director’s Base Salary to $172,010 Annually, effective January 4, 2027, Elimination of CalPERS Cost-Sharing, and Modification to the City’s Contribution to Medical Premiums (IS - HR)
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MEETING DATE:
March 4, 2026
PREPARED BY:
Adele Post, Human Resources
recommendation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Addendum to the Employment Agreement with Jennifer Fontanilla, Library Director, Including Future Wage Adjustments to Bring the Library Director’s Base Salary to $172,010 Annually, effective January 4, 2027, Elimination of CalPERS Cost-Sharing, and Modification to the City’s Contribution to Medical Premiums.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of Lodi has negotiated successor Memorandums of Understanding (“MOUs”) with several of the represented bargaining units that include equity adjustments, cost-of-living adjustments, increased City contribution towards medical premiums, and elimination of the CalPERS cost-sharing contributions.
Equity adjustments for other Department Head classifications were recommended based on market median of the City’s comparable agencies. The total compensation data for other Department Head classifications was refreshed in October 2025. The City’s consultant was unable to provide comparable data for the Library Director classification due to an insufficient number of comparators. City staff will work to identify comparator agencies for a total compensation study for the Library Director classification and may bring an item to Council for an equity adjustment in the future, if it is determined that Lodi’s Library Director salary is below market median.
The City Manager has completed negotiations with the Library Director and have negotiated amendments to the Library Director’s employment agreement, similar to those provided to other represented employees, as follows:
• Three percent (3%) cost-of-living increase effective the first full pay-period in January 2027;
• Three percent (3%) cost-of-living increase effective the first full pay-period in January 2028;
• City shall pay up to 90% of the medical premium, by enrollment category, for the lowest cost HMO plan available in the zip code 95240, effective January 1, 2026;
• Reduce total employee pension contribution by eliminating employee cost-sharing of six percent (6%), effective July 6, 2026:
o Classic Contribution seven percent (7%)
o PEPRA Contribution of 50% of normal cost
• City agrees to maintain a minimum ten percent (10%) salary differential between Employee and the Library Department’s next highest paid executive or mid manager, including incentive pay.
• If assigned by the City Manager to a vacant or interim Director position, for more than two consecutive weeks, Employee shall receive the current salary of the position they are filling while in this status, or a 10% upgrade, whichever is greater.
The current salary for the Library Director is $167,000. The agreed upon cost-of-living increase of three percent (3%), effective the first full pay-period in January 2027 will bring the Library Director’s salary to $172,010.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The recommended salary adjustment will result in an approximate increase of $5,000 annually. Sufficient funds will be allocated within the next fiscal year’s budget for this adjustment.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
12090000.71001