Sparks council to give back many labor concessions to employees

SPARKS — The Sparks City Council has approved 11 labor contracts with employee groups that give back many concessions workers agreed to during the recession.

Pay levels will return to what they were before, though workers will not get back pay.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reported the contracts approved Monday night will cost the city $2.5 million over the fiscal year that is not included in the current budget.

Administrators said the city has several options, including finding new revenue and cutting services.

The city could also reduce the size of its ending fund balance, an amount set aside to ensure adequate funds are available at any given time to meet payroll and other expenses.