12-27-2016 CCM Workshop (Compensation Study)HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL WORKSHOP
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2016 AT 4:00 PM
CITY CENTER — COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. Call to Order
Mayor Gary Forcier called the meeting to order. Members present were Chad Czmowski, Mary
Christensen, Bill Arndt and John Lofdahl. Others present were Matt Jaunich, City Administrator,
Kent Exner, City Engineer and Marc Sebora, City Attorney and other city directors.
DISCUSSION/REVIEW ITEMS
2. Review of 2016 Compensation Study
Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, provided a presentation on the final analysis and results of the
2016 compensation study that was completed by Keystone Compensation Group. The
presentation consisted of the following: objectives of the study, job evaluation, Hutchinson's
compensation strategy, overview of market analysis and results, important changes to the City's
compensation program, 2016 & 2017 salary structures, exhibits for results of compensation
analytics and recap/questions.
The study objectives consisted of reviewing and revising job descriptions including interview
employees; evaluating City jobs and confirm internal equity; conducting a competitive market
analysis for City's compensation program; calibrating/revising current salary structure based on
market and internal job evaluation; estimating the budget impact for implementing new ranges
and the strategic objectives included enabling the City to retain and attract qualified talent and
being complaint with the Local Government Pay Equity Act. Mr. Jaunich also reviewed the
process used in the study which included job descriptions being reviewed and updated and the
consultant conducting job interviews with representative employees for each job to confirm
duties; department heads provided feedback about the current compensation program; consultant
evaluated all jobs using the Keystone Job Leveling System and assigned job grades; department
heads reviewed their departmental grade and the consultant and administration jointly worked on
resolving questions about job calibration; consultant used the market peer group government
agencies to prepare the market summary statistics; benchmark base pay data was collected from
market jurisdictions and reviewed for quality of job matching; consultant used the combination of
the job evaluation results and market analysis to create the new salary ranges to establish internal
equity while maintaining a competitive market position; assigned salary grades to all jobs and
prepared various comparisons and analytics to illustrate the impact of the new salary structure and
developed an estimate for the financial impact of the new salary ranges and the consultant
reviewed preliminary study results with administration and subsequently met with department
heads collectively to review the results.
Mr. Jaunich reviewed the job evaluation characteristics and elements of jobs to establish the
relative job hierarchy within the City. The purpose of evaluating jobs is to compare different
characteristics or elements of jobs in order to establish a job ranking. The Keystone system
provides logical and systematic steps to reduce the subjectivity of judging job value. It also
provides more consistency in how jobs are assigned to grades. Therefore the process of job
evaluation can be characterized as systematic method, evaluating jobs, repeatable process,
relative hierarchy, job worth, and within organization. Mr. Jaunich reviewed the five factors each
job was weighed against in the study: knowledge, skills & competence, responsibility &
accountability, job complexity, contacts & interpersonal skills and working conditions.
Mr. Jaunich reviewed the compensation strategies used for the City to compete for talent in the
marketplace. These strategies were based on the following: 1. What is the City's market for
talent? Who does the City compete with? 2. Where does the City intend to position its pay
program relative to the market? 3. What does the City intend to pay for? 4. How does the City
administer its pay program and grant pay increases?
Mr. Jaunich reviewed the market used for the study which included 29 cities and counties
comparable in size, type of services delivered and where the City's talent pool exists. Mr.
Jaunich also reviewed the benchmarking used for the City compensation process. 90% of City
jobs were benchmarked within the defined market. Benchmark jobs cover 88% of City
incumbents. Actual pay for City employees is at 104.3% of the market. Overall, the City's pay
program is competitive and requires some internal and external alignment. The City is paying
employees competitively with the market. All jobs have been accurately calibrated internally and
with the market. The range maximum increased to 20% above the midpoint up from 15% in the
old structure. The midpoint is set at 100% of the market median vs. 97.5% of the market in the
old structure. The range minimum remains at 80% of the midpoint. More competitive and
slightly wider ranges are in place to attract and retain qualified talent.
Mr. Jaunich noted that for implementation in 2017, employee pay rates will be placed on the new
pay grid based on the 2016 year-end pay rates. No increases in pay will result except for the
following: the pay rates for five employees with rates below the new 2017 minimums will be
increased to the 2017 minimum rate with a small budget impact estimated at $9000; three
employees have current pay rates above the new maximums; 82% of City positions will realize an
earnings potential increase with the grade replacement. Mr. Jaunich noted that an updated pay for
performance system is being designed. Merit increases are determined by current actual pay
within the range and performance level. General discussion was held regarding lump sum
payments for those employees that are maxed out on the pay grid.
Mr. Jaunich reviewed the current position classification table that has 19 grades. The proposed
position classification table has 16 grades. Mr. Jaunich also reviewed the current pay grid
structure as well as the proposed pay grid structure which moves 2.5%. Lastly, Mr. Jaunich
reviewed the exhibits used in the compensation analytics. Administration will be requesting that
the Council accept the results of the study and establish the 2017 proposed classification table and
pay grid at a later date. Mr. Jaunich is also suggesting that the wage committee review the study
information as well.
Motion by Christensen, second by Lofdahl, to adjourn at 5:05 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Gary T. Forcier
Mayor
Matthew Jaunich
City Administrator