Milwaukee County reveals progress in employee compensation project

The Milwaukee County Committee on Personnel convened on July 8, 2025, for a hybrid meeting held in Room 203-R and live-streamed for public access. The primary focus of the meeting was the ongoing compensation project aimed at aligning employee salaries with market standards.

The discussion began with a recognition of the importance of transparency in the compensation process. Supervisors emphasized the need to retain long-term employees who have contributed significantly to the organization. The committee acknowledged that the compensation study aims to ensure that all employees are compensated fairly according to their job families, which have been streamlined from over 100 to 36 distinct categories.

A key point raised was that the compensation project is designed to bring all employees to at least the minimum of the new pay scale, without addressing equity or compression issues at this stage. This approach is intended to create a level playing field across departments, although departments will still have the option to request additional funding for exceptional employees who take on new responsibilities.

The committee was informed that the compensation project is currently 70% complete, with plans to finalize the remaining 30% by the end of the year. Department leaders are actively engaged in discussions regarding the analysis of their respective areas. The committee will continue to receive detailed reports on the project in the coming months.

No votes were required during this information-only session, and the meeting concluded without further questions or concerns from the committee members. The overall sentiment reflected a commitment to improving employee compensation while maintaining transparency and fairness in the process.