Cole County hires Condre & Associates for countywide salary study; questionnaires due Oct. 3

The Cole County Commission on Sept. 16 heard Condre & Associates outline a countywide salary study that the commission authorized earlier this year. Consultants said departments should return completed questionnaires by Oct. 3 and that telephone interviews with employees are scheduled for the week of Oct. 20.

The study aims to standardize job descriptions and compare county pay to similar employers, primarily in Missouri, Condre representatives said. The firm will survey roughly 15 organizations and expects to produce market matches for about 40–45 benchmark positions; consultants said the final product will include recommendations on career ladders and how jobs relate to market pay.

Consultant Greg (Condre & Associates) told county staff and elected officials the process will use one questionnaire per position rather than one per incumbent, and that supervisors should not alter employees’ responses on the form. “We’ll survey 15 different organizations, and we’ll coordinate with you as a select firms. And I would say we’d stay probably in Missouri,” Greg said. He and a second consultant, Daniel, said they would interview department heads and supervisors and use the materials submitted by departments to draft standardized job descriptions.

Why it matters: Commissioners and department leaders said they expect the study to give the county a consistent method for setting pay during future budget cycles and to help retain and recruit employees, especially in public-safety and skilled field roles.

Scope and timeline -…