Dunkirk Council Approves 3% Raise for All City Employees, Certification Bonus, and Holds Lifeguard Pay Steady

From the Dunkirk City Council meeting on July 27, 2026

The Dunkirk City Council voted unanimously to approve a 3% pay increase for all city employees as part of the upcoming salary ordinance. Council members voted to take no raise for themselves.

An original proposal that included a separate $400 raise for the mayor and different pay pools for different employee groups was withdrawn in favor of a flat 3% across the board. One council member said 3% was the maximum he would support, citing financial uncertainty from HEA 1001 and projected health insurance increases. The clerk-treasurer reported health insurance premiums are expected to rise approximately 14%, partly because government reimbursements were eliminated.

The council also approved a $0.35-per-hour certification bonus for water and sewer department employees below the supervisor level who pass the state certification exam — roughly $728 per year at 40 hours per week. Supervisors are excluded because certification is already expected of their position. The Hartford City Water Department requires two certifications (distribution and treatment), while the sewer department requires one. The city currently pays an outside contractor to handle state reporting because no employee other than the supervisor holds the certification. An employee was scheduled to take his certification exam on July 28.

The council decided against a special lifeguard pay raise, concluding that free lifeguard certification classes — costing approximately $255 per person — resolved the staffing shortage. The classes produced six certified lifeguards this season, above the minimum of three. Lifeguards will receive the standard 3% increase. The council directed the Park Board to come back with wage recommendations for next year.

Source: Meeting transcript — City of Dunkirk - City Council Meeting - July 27, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.