Columbia New appointees ordinance (§ 19-82)

(a) Generally, the initial wage for a permanent classified employee shall be set between the minimum and the midpoint of the pay grade for the classification.

(b) Beginning salaries for employees shall not be set at a rate greater than the salaries of existing employees with equivalent qualifications within the same classification.

(c) All salary offers shall be approved by the director prior to offering employment.

(d) A higher initial wage may be approved by the director in unusual circumstances, such as when market conditions prohibit hiring within the assigned pay grade and/or the current pay or pay grade of employees does not stimulate upward career movement or when the new employee exceeds the minimum qualifications for the position.