Section 19-84 Promotions, reclassifications, changes in pay grade, transfers and demotions.

(a) Promotion. When an employee is promoted, the employee's rate of pay shall be increased to at least the minimum rate for the new position .

(b) Upward reclassification. When an employee’s position is reclassified to a classification in a higher pay grade, the employee’s rate of pay shall be increased, if necessary, to fall within the pay range of the new position. Subject to any guidelines established by the city manager, the department head, with the approval of the director, may increase the reclassified employee’s rate of pay to any amount within the pay range of the new position.

(c) Downward reclassification. When an employee’s position is reclassified to a classification in a lower pay grade, the employee’s rate of pay shall not be lowered. If, after reclassification, the employee’s rate of pay is higher than the maximum for the pay grade, the employee’s rate of pay shall remain unchanged and shall not be increased before the maximum for the pay grade is increased to exceed the employee’s rate of pay.

(d) Upward change in pay grade. When a classification is placed in a higher pay grade, the rate of pay of employees in that classification shall not automatically be increased, except that the rate of pay of employees paid below the minimum of the new pay grade shall be increased to the minimum of the new pay grade.

(e) Downward change in pay grade. When a classification is placed in a lower pay grade, the rate of pay of employees in that classification shall not be lowered. If, after the classification is placed in a lower pay grade, an employee’s rate of pay is higher than the maximum for the pay grade, the employee’s rate of pay shall remain unchanged and shall not be increased before the maximum for the pay grade is increased to exceed the employee’s rate of pay.

(f) Transfers. When an employee is transferred, the employee’s rate of pay shall be adjusted, if necessary, to fall within the pay range of the new position. Subject to any guidelines established by the city manager, the department head, with the approval of the director, may increase the transferred employee’s rate of pay to any amount within the pay range of the new position.

(g) Demotions. When an employee is demoted (voluntarily or as a result of disciplinary actions or reductions in departmental operations), the employee’s rate of pay shall be lowered, if necessary, to fall within the pay range of the new position.