Dunn County proposes tying 2026 raises to quarterly performance check‑ins, drops step system

Dunn County human resources staff outlined the 2026 wage proposal at the Planning, Resource and Development Committee meeting on July 16, presenting a shift from the traditional step system to performance‑based pay adjustments tied to quarterly manager check‑ins.

Talent Development Manager Sarah Stansberry told the committee the county plans to replace the internal step increments (11 steps per grade) with a grades‑only pay grid and use documented quarterly check‑ins to determine annual increases. The proposal would set a baseline pay adjustment for employees who “meet expectations” and a larger adjustment for those who “exceed expectations.” Employees rated “needs improvement” would not receive a raise and would not receive cost‑of‑living adjustments under the 2026 recommendation.

Why it matters: The county reported that historically only about 20% of employees received formal annual evaluations. HR said the change aims to increase…