McGrath Human Resources Group outlines salary structure reforms for local county workforce

The Pulaski County Quorum Court convened on August 26, 2025, to discuss critical updates regarding employee compensation and benefits. The meeting began with a proposal to accept new salary scales, which will be reviewed by the budget committee to inform future financial decisions. The agenda included discussions on employee benefits and policy recommendations, with a focus on enhancing the county's compensation structure.

Victoria McGrath, CEO of McGrath Human Resources Group, presented findings from a comprehensive compensation study. She emphasized the need for a competitive salary structure, noting that 39% of the county's workforce is under 40 years old, indicating a potential turnover risk. McGrath highlighted that many younger employees may leave for better-paying opportunities, while 38% of the workforce is over 50, suggesting an impending retirement wave.

The study revealed significant issues with the current compensation system, including a lack of competitive salaries and a confusing pay structure with numerous duplicate job titles. McGrath pointed out that many positions are hired at market rates, but employees face limited advancement opportunities due to the salary schedule's constraints. The existing pay grades do not allow for adequate growth, as many employees reach their maximum pay without further increases.

McGrath's analysis included a comparison of the county's salary ranges to those of surrounding local government agencies. The findings indicated that Pulaski County's pay scales are lagging behind the average market rates, which could hinder recruitment and retention efforts. She recommended that the county reassess its compensation philosophy to ensure it remains competitive and attractive to current and prospective employees.

The meeting concluded with a call for the Quorum Court to consider the recommendations from the compensation study, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues to improve employee satisfaction and retention. The next steps will involve further discussions on the proposed salary scales and potential adjustments to the benefits package, with the aim of fostering a more equitable and sustainable compensation system for Pulaski County employees.