County HR told the Administrative Services Committee on Dec. 3 that the department has hired 55 people in the last quarter and is monitoring 93 new Family and Medical Leave Act cases reported during the same period.

HR said those numbers include standard retirements—especially in the sheriff’s office—and some turnovers during probationary periods. The department indicated that unemployment claims in the quarter were within normal levels and that performance reviews have been completed.

To address compensation and classification concerns, HR announced it will work with the Archer Group on an internal equity study. The study will proceed on a three-year cycle; this year the county will review roughly 100 jobs (statements in the meeting referenced reviewing "about a 180 or a 100 jobs," and staff said they will start with about 100 jobs). HR said the goal is to complete the initial review by May and to report back to the committee as the study progresses. The director said the study aims to ensure internal equity across departments rather than to commit to across-the-board pay increases.

Committee members sought clarification about which positions would be included; HR said it will prioritize high-turnover and hard-to-hire roles, cross-departmental health-care positions shared between county departments and Valley High, and roles such as state’s attorney and public defenders for equity review. HR emphasized that all proposed salary adjustments follow the county’s salary-administration policy and multiple review steps.