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Nevada County approves three-year, $75,000 contract for outside compensation study
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved a three‑year contract with Bryce Consulting to perform total compensation studies used in labor bargaining and arbitration. The study will cost $25,000 per year and cover classifications that come up in yearly negotiations.
The Nevada County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 25 approved a three‑year contract with Bryce Consulting to conduct total compensation studies for the county at a cost of $25,000 per year.
The studies will survey pay and benefit packages in comparison counties to help county negotiators and provide an independent third‑party analysis for labor bargaining and potential arbitration, county staff told supervisors.
“This item before you is requesting approval for a 3 year contract for Bryce Consulting to conduct compensation studies on behalf of the county,” said Aaron Matlary, deputy county executive officer and chief fiscal officer. “It's $25,000 a year.”
Why it matters: County staff said the report will examine both cash salary and nonmonetary elements of pay — for example, retirement contributions, benefits and specialty pay — and help the county determine whether it is “within market” for specific classifications. Staff said the outside study is also routinely required by arbitrators if negotiations with labor groups reach impasse.
Deputy County Executive Officer Matlary told the board the contract was timed to align with the county’s bargaining cycle. He said the consultant will survey a set of eight comparison counties drawn roughly from a 100‑mile radius and will cycle through classifications on a three‑year schedule so that all bargaining units are covered as they come up for renewal.
Supervisor Rob, who had asked to pull the item from the consent calendar for discussion, said he had questions and concerns but did not oppose the contract. Public comment included residents who said they support transparency on pay and urged the board to consider county revenue trends when reviewing senior management compensation. Michael Taylor, a District 1 resident, said, “I don't believe that the senior county staff's total financial compensations are sustainable over another six years,” pressing the board to factor tax growth and other fiscal metrics into future decisions.
County staff said the work will cover the classifications currently in bargaining or up for negotiation in the coming cycle, and described the task as time‑consuming if done in‑house. Matlary estimated the consultant’s work will support bargaining that can involve millions of dollars over time and would be cost‑effective compared with in‑house labor and the need for independent studies in arbitration.
Votes at a glance - Approve three‑year contract with Bryce Consulting to conduct a total compensation study ($25,000 per year; $75,000 total): Approved, 5–0 (District 5: Yes; District 2: Yes; District 4: Yes; District 3: Yes; District 1: Yes).
What the contract does not do: The county and the contract do not themselves set wages or benefits; rather, the study supplies market and total‑compensation data used in negotiations with multiple labor unions. Any salary or benefit changes would still be subject to bargaining, board approval and, where applicable, arbitration. Staff also noted that public websites such as Transparent California capture historic cash payouts but do not represent total compensation or current market comparisons.
Next steps: With the contract approved, staff said they will begin the consultant’s work so the study results can inform upcoming bargaining cycles and, if needed, arbitration proceedings.
