Dunkirk Tables Certification Pay Incentive Amid Staffing Concerns

From the Dunkirk City Council meeting on August 24, 2026

A proposal to offer a $0.35-per-hour pay incentive for water and sewage department employees who obtain state licenses has been tabled — continuing a discussion from the prior meeting after the Dunkirk City Council could not agree on how to move forward.

A council member motioned to cancel the incentive entirely, but the motion failed for lack of a second. The item was tabled until the next meeting.

The incentive was designed to encourage new employees to get licensed. However, existing licensed employees objected, arguing they should also receive the pay bump. As written, the incentive applied only to employees "acquiring" a new license — not those who already held one.

The council member who proposed cancellation argued it would create more problems than it solves, giving the raise to all currently licensed employees without solving the core staffing problem. Another council member pushed back, noting they "still at some point have to have" licensed employees and asking for alternatives.

The presiding officer asked the council to "come up with a better idea for certification" before the next meeting. They have until the end of the year.

Source: Meeting transcript — City of Dunkirk - City Council Meeting - August 24, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.