According to the City Charter, how must the salary of City employees relate to private business?

The correct response highlights that the salary of City employees must be "at least equal to the prevailing wage" in the context of the City Charter. This provision ensures that compensation for public service roles remains competitive and fair compared to similar positions in the private sector. By mandating that salaries are at least equal to the prevailing wage, the City Charter aims to attract and retain skilled professionals in public service, preventing disparities that could lead to workforce shortages or reduced morale among employees.

This approach is crucial in maintaining a productive and effective workforce, as it ensures that public sector salaries are commensurate with market standards, which helps in budgeting and policy-making for the municipality. Acknowledging prevailing wages enables cities to be responsible stewards of taxpayer funds while also providing employees with fair compensation comparable to industry standards.

In contrast, the other options suggest parameters that may place salary limits below the prevailing wage or introduce caps that could undermine the effort to keep public sector pay competitive.