Our City Council and management appreciate the work you do every day to improve residents’ lives.
That is why the City Council has approved the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with cost-of-living (COLA) and merit increases to pay for all non-represented, regular status employees.
The compensation package for Fiscal Year 2025-26 includes these increases, effective June 28:
A cost-of-living adjustment of 3.5% to base pay, regardless of service date
A merit increase (to base pay) of up to 2% depending on employees’ annual performance review ratings
All the pay hikes will be calculated on employees’ base pay, as of June 27. Your paycheck on July 3 will reflect your new benefit deductions. Then your paycheck on July 18 will show new benefit deductions AND a full pay period of increases for which you are eligible.
In order to be eligible for the merit increase, employees must have received a “Meets Expectations” to qualify for a 1% pay bump and “Above Expectations” to earn up to a 2% boost. They also must have worked for the city for at least one year.
The Human Resources Department is preparing individual compensation statements showing the impact of the increases on your pay. You may view these statements in Employee Self Services (ESS), under “Employee Notifications” in the left menu bar, during the week of July 14. If you have any questions, please contact your supervisor or an HR business partner.
NOMINATE EMPLOYEES FOR SUCCESS FACTORS HONORS
It’s time again to nominate superstar employees for their achievements.
Nominations are being accepted for the Success Factors Excellence Awards through June 30. These nominations should be reflective of the employees’ accomplishments between July of 2024 and this month. You can submit a nomination through this Success Factors jotform.
GREAT NEWS IN GLENDALE
CITY SHINES, EARNS ARIZONA CHAMBER’S
TOP HONOR
We all know business is booming here in Glendale, and recently a statewide organization honored the city for its success in attracting and helping businesses thrive here. Our city received the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s “Best City for Business” award at the Arizona Chamber’s 2025 Annual Awards Celebration on June 3 in Phoenix.
This award is given annually to a single city that has gone above and beyond to boost Arizona’s global competitiveness and advance the business community’s priorities, according to the Chamber. Danny Seiden, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, pictured to the left with our City Manager Kevin Phelps and Mayor Jerry Weiers, said Glendale makes “smart decisions that drive jobs and long-term economic growth.” Over the past six years, nearly 13,000 jobs have been added to Glendale.
Check out this video our Communications Department’s videographers created to showcase the award.
LANDFILL EMPLOYEES DRIVE EXCELLENCE, WIN AWARDS
Three landfill employees in our Field Operations Department earned awards after showing off their skills at a unique competition recently.
Robert Ruiz, a city Landfill Heavy Equipment Operator, pictured on the far left in the photo on the left, earned first-place in the Compactor category of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) AZ Chapter’s annual State Road-E-O in Tucson. He will advance to the SWANA International Road-E-O in Florida in October. Rafael Jimenez, a city Landfill Service Worker, pictured next to Robert, took home third-place in the Loader category, while Charles Margelot, a city Landfill Heavy Equipment Operator, on the far right, received an honorable mention for his work in the Bulldozer category.
Several of our Solid Waste Division employees also took part in the competition. The Solid Waste competitors were Alfredo Alvarez, Christopher Gonzales, Victor Perez (who is no longer with the city), Raul Rodriguez, Jacob Garcia, Jon Beachem and Dallas Manlunas.
Competitors were judged on their ability to follow course directions and avoid obstacles, as well as the time it took to complete the exercises.
Congratulations to everyone who competed in this fun event!
MORE STORIES OF SUCCESS IN THE CITY
GRATITUDE DRIVES PUBLIC WORKS WEEK CELEBRATIONS
Employee recognition is an important part of the culture in Glendale. Many city leaders said “thank you” to employees for their hard work and accomplishments with fun goodies recently during National Public Works Week. Transportation Department employees were treated to bagel sandwiches and coffee from Einstein Bros. and ice cream from Sweet Treats Ice Cream during the week. Field Operations employees got a boost with coffee and other drinks from a LQUD Love vendor truck, along with lunches, ice cream and chair massages as part of the festivities. Our Water Services Department showed gratitude to its team by providing breakfast burritos to workers during Arizona Water Professionals Appreciation Week in April.
To celebrate Public Works Week, our Communications Department’s videographers produced two videos, including one sharing the story of Field Operations Director Michelle Woytenko and one highlighting Public Works employees in the field. Check out the videos below.
COMMUNICATIONS TEAM EARNS TWO NATIONAL HONORS
Our Communications Department was recently honored with two, national awards when the Public Relations Society of America hosted its annual Anvil Awards event in New York City. The awards are highly competitive, top PR and communications field honors that recognize the best quality work around the country. Team Glendale took home the prestigious National Anvil Award of Commendation for Media Relations, as well as the renowned Anvil Award of Excellence for Best Government Team.
Congratulations to our Communications Department for earning these awards! Check out this fun video the Communications Department’s videographers created to celebrate these distinctions
NEWS YOU CAN USE
JOIN INCLUSION NETWORK FOR JUNETEENTH EVENT
JUNE
18
Don’t forget about the Inclusion Network’s Juneteenth event from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Main Library. Dr. Matthew C. Whitaker, who is the founder and CEO of Diamond Strategies, LLC., will share the history and significance of this event as part of our country’s history. Register today for this educational event through NEOGOV.
BEWARE OF NEW SPAM CAMPAIGN TIED TO ‘TICKETS’
Our Innovation and Technology Department is urging all city employees to be careful because the Arizona Department of Homeland Security is seeing increased activity from an ongoing spam campaign primarily distributed via SMS across the state.
These fraudulent messages are designed to look like notices from the Arizona Department of Transportation regarding an outstanding traffic ticket. They say that failure to comply with the ticket will result in numerous penalties but that is NOT the case. The Arizona Department of Transportation is not sending texts to collect unpaid ticket fines. These messages are fraudulent attempts to steal your personal information and money.
This type of spam campaign is known as “smishing.” Fraudsters are masquerading as ADOT under false pretenses, trying to invoke a sense of urgency and fear Everyone is urged to be cautious when receiving these types of messages. Do NOT click on any links. You should ignore the content of these text messages and remove them from your inbox.
WAYS TO GIVE BACK IN GLENDALE
DONATE SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO HELP KIDS IN NEED
Summer is here but the start of school is just around the corner and many children need our help to succeed when they return to the classroom. That’s why the Glendale Employee Giving Committee is excited to announce its 4th Annual Back-to-School Drive. All city employees are encouraged to help support students, teachers and families by donating much-needed school supplies. These contributions will help ensure all children begin the academic year with the tools they need to thrive.
Last year, our city employees filled 400 backpacks and we hope to collect even more items this year. You can drop off the donations at these locations: Glendale Adult Center, Main Library, Velma Teague Library, Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center (GRPSTC), Field Operations (A-Building), Glendale Media Center (1 floor), Civic Center Annex, Gateway Police Precinct and the Bead Museum. If you don’t have time to shop but want to help, contact Deputy Director of Community Services Michelle Yates at myates@glendaleaz.com to make a monetary donation.
Primary Supplies for Kindergarten through Third Grades:
Pencils
Crayons
Composition notebook (primary)
Pencil pouch
Scissors
Erasers
Markers
Intermediate Supplies for Grades Fourth through Eighth:
Pencils
Pencil pouch
Colored pencils
Erasers
Spiral notebook
Ruler
Loose-leaf paper
Markers THESE ARE THE NEEDED ITEMS:
FOOD FOR THOUGHT IN GLENDALE
TEENS CAN GET TASTE OF CULINARY FUN AT LIBRARY EVENT
Looking for something fun and educational for your preteen or teen to do this summer? Our Foothills Library is serving up a fun, culinary class for preteens and teens.
During the Cooking with Larry - Oodles of Noodles for Teens class from 2 to 3 p.m. TODAY at the Foothills Library, Chef Larry Canepa, pictured on the left, will engage students ages 12 to 18 in a “foodie” experience.
Students will explore noodles from the Far East, as well as Italy and other countries in Europe. They will learn the stories behind the shapes and names of this food, along with the delicious ways to enjoy noodles. There is no need to register ahead of the event.
Learn more about this class on the library webpage.
Why the Peacock Press?
The stunningly beautiful birds are a unique feature of Glendale’s Sahuaro Ranch Park and the Main Library grounds, where they roam freely.
They’re descendants of the original peacocks that the owners of Manistee/Sahuaro Ranch parks purchased at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair and brought home with them.
