City Council approves comprehensive pay study for recruitment improvement

In a pivotal meeting held on April 14, 2025, the Greenville City Council and the Greenville Utilities Commission (GUC) addressed critical workforce challenges stemming from the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As city officials gathered under the bright lights of city hall, the focus turned to the pressing need for a comprehensive classification and compensation study aimed at enhancing recruitment and retention efforts.

Historically, the city and GUC have conducted these studies every ten years, with a mid-cycle review every five years. However, the last planned study in 2020 was derailed by the pandemic, leading to a pause in the process. In March 2022, a limited true-up study was initiated to mitigate the impact of the labor market shifts, which have made it increasingly difficult to fill certain positions. The results of this interim study were implemented in January 2023, providing some relief but highlighting ongoing challenges in attracting talent.

During the meeting, officials emphasized the importance of aligning job classifications with current market rates to ensure that both the city and GUC can compete effectively for skilled workers. The proposed comprehensive study, set for implementation on July 1, 2026, aims to address these issues more thoroughly. Councilwoman Blackburn raised questions about the process, confirming that a request for qualifications (RFQ) would be necessary and estimating the cost of the study to be in the range of several hundred thousand dollars.

With a unanimous vote, the council approved the motion to proceed with the comprehensive study, marking a significant step toward addressing the workforce challenges that have emerged in the wake of the pandemic. As the meeting concluded, the commitment to enhancing the city’s employment framework resonated, leaving attendees with a sense of optimism about the future of Greenville’s workforce.