By John Yantis | The Arizona Republic
After years without annual pay increases during the recession, some cities and towns are rewarding employees quite handsomely.
Longtime Buckeye workers are poised to get the biggest bump in pay, with their checks increasing by as much as 14 percent under a budget proposal. While proposed raises for workers in other Valley cities and the county aren’t as high, they range from about 2.5 percent in Goodyear to 5 percent for Maricopa County.
The government raises are much larger than what private-sector workers are receiving this year, experts say. While some firms have given raises, many businesses have continued to postpone wage hikes until the economy is stronger, or they have given workers one-time bonuses.
City leaders say the raises are worth it to retain employees who are trained and took on extra job duties during the recession when cities cut workers.
