Alexander City council hears compensation-study findings, consultant recommends market-based pay adjustments

Alexander City council members heard a presentation on a citywide compensation study that compared Alexander City jobs with similar municipalities and private-sector equivalents and recommended updates to the city’s pay scales.

The study’s presenter said the team surveyed every employee, reviewed job descriptions and organizational charts, and paired each position with a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code in JobsEQ to pull detailed wage information. Consultants also compared results to an Alabama League of Municipalities survey and five peer cities — including Hartzell, Talladega, Scottsboro and Ozark — selected because those municipalities operate utilities and have similar size or economic profiles to Alexander City, the presenter said.

City officials and the presenter said the study was designed to reflect both formal job descriptions and the actual current scope of work, so supervisors could explain changes to staff. The presenter said the process included an extensive employee survey and supervisor review and that some adjustments remain before the new pay scale is finalized. “We analyzed every job within Alex City,” the presenter said. The presenter added the JobsEQ data also incorporates private-sector wages for positions that have market equivalents — for example, linemen.

Council member Kristen (surname not specified) asked for feedback and cautioned against changing job titles while a survey is in progress, saying organizational changes should be considered holistically. The presenter acknowledged that some positions will require longevity adjustments and that the study shows where employees with long service may need special consideration.

The presentation noted that in 2022 the city implemented a larger cost-of-living adjustment and that going forward many cities aim for an annual cost-of-living increase around 2 percent, subject to each jurisdiction’s revenues. The presenter said the study produces a recommended minimum-to-maximum range for each job and maps employees on that pay scale by years of service.

Council members said each department will get a chance to review the detailed recommendations before the matter returns to the council. The presenter said all supporting data and comparisons will be available to supervisors and employees to explain individual placement on the new scale.

Councilors did not take a final vote on the study during the portion of the meeting recorded in the transcript; the presenter said a few final adjustments remained and that the full package will be brought forward after departmental review.