Board approves broader pay‑study ordinance after weeks of debate; ad hoc committee proposal fails

The Hendersonville Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Sept. 9 approved second reading of Ordinance 2025‑12, amending the city's personnel code to expand the scope of the pay study to include supplemental pays and other non‑salary compensation for city employees.

The ordinance change, proposed by Alderman Nancy Collins, requires the consultant conducting the market analysis to capture "all forms of payment, not just salary" — including education pay, EMT pay, special assignment differentials and other supplements that affect employees' total compensation. Collins described the change as aimed at producing a more comprehensive snapshot of employee pay: "It's just the point is to capture all forms of payment, not just salary because for some of our, people, particularly our public safety team, they have all of these supplemental pays...and we've never evaluated those in a pay study to see if we're competitive in those."

The issue prompted extended discussion about timing and process. Aldermen and staff agreed the expanded scope will require additional data collection and take longer to complete, but city staff said the work is feasible. A staff member, asked about schedule, said the city's solicitation was already posted and proposals were being requested within about two weeks: "The advertising on the pay study just started today. So we've pushed it out and then we're asking for proposals within about 2 weeks."

A proposed amendment from Alderman Sasse to form a five‑member ad hoc committee of aldermen to recommend comparator cities and entities was debated and voted down 8–4. Those voting in favor of the ad hoc committee were Aldermen Burgdorf, Skidmore, Martin and Sasse. Those voting against were Aldermen Ward, Garza, Dixon, Goodwin, Garton, Collins, Robertson and Mayor Lane Douglas. Alderman Collins had sought to include more board oversight of the comparator selection; opponents said staff and department heads already provide that input and adding a committee risked delay.

City chiefs and department heads will be involved in the consultant's review: a staff member confirmed the current RFP requests that the consultant meet with department heads, a step some department heads said had been omitted in the most recent study. One department head said of prior pay studies: "The department heads met with the consultants" on earlier studies, and that including department input again would be helpful. City staff also noted that including direct meetings with department leaders may increase the study cost.

The ordinance preserves a four‑year cadence for pay studies; several aldermen emphasized a recurring review is important for retention and competitiveness. After debate and the failed ad hoc committee amendment, the board approved second reading of Ordinance 2025‑12 on a unanimous vote.

The city advertised the request for proposals before the meeting; staff said the RFP already includes many of the study elements discussed at the meeting, including meetings with department heads and evaluation of non‑salary compensation. The consultant selected under the RFP will return findings to the board and staff for implementation decisions.