Lincoln council weighs two salary-study proposals; GovHR recommended as lower-cost option

The Committee of the Whole reviewed two proposals on May 27 for a citywide salary and compensation study. Staff presented a lower-cost bid from GovHR for roughly $6,300 and a higher-cost proposal from Morgan HR for about $13,500. Councilmembers discussed turnaround time, methodology and whether the firms would use public records requests (FOIA) for comparator data.

One council member urged caution about the consequences of identifying pay gaps. "If we make them public and find out that we are grossly underpaying our people... this council who sits here and pinches every penny all the time better be willing to step up to the plate if we wanted this study and we find out that that is the case," an alderman said. Another council member supported GovHR, saying he wanted the most accurate numbers and was not afraid of transparency: "I want the most accurate numbers, and I'm not afraid of transparency."

Staff explained that GovHR's base proposal was lower and that optional services—covering benefit-package analysis and site visits—would add another fee (presenters referenced roughly $2,700 in optional services), bringing the total closer to $9,000 if the council chose those extras. GovHR's optional on-site visits could incur additional costs and staff will seek clarification whether presentations would be virtual or on-site.

Council members agreed to place the compensation-study item on the regular agenda and to clarify whether optional benefit and site-visit services should be included in the city's contract with the chosen vendor.