City awards compensation and position-classification study to Baker Tilly

The Lake Havasu City Council approved a professional-services contract on July 9 to begin a citywide position-analysis and compensation study and to develop a customized performance-measurement system.

Council recorded a motion to award the contract to Baker Tilly Virchow Kraus LLP and authorize the city manager to execute the agreement and take actions necessary to carry out the contract. The motion, moved by Vice Mayor Lane and seconded by Council Member Coke, carried 6–0.

Staff said the city last conducted a compensation study in 2007 and that since then there have been new positions, classification changes and compensation adjustments that warrant a comprehensive review. The study scope includes identifying comparable cities, orientation sessions for employees and supervisors, job-description updates, salary and benefit comparisons, recommendations for a revised classification and compensation plan to allow merit-based pay, and training for city staff to maintain the plan.

Ms. Poblecky (city staff) said the city will begin the positional analysis immediately, anticipates presenting final recommendations to the city manager in December, and will complete the performance-measurement and evaluation system by January 2020 so results can inform the next budget cycle. Council members emphasized the timing aligns with budget planning and asked staff to confirm implementation cost estimates when the study recommendations arrive.

The council authorized the city manager to execute the contract and make necessary disbursements consistent with the contract intent. No implementation funding beyond the contract award was adopted at the meeting; council members noted the next steps will be to review the consultant’s findings and to determine the cost of any recommended changes during the budget process.