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Utah County HR recommends targeted market pay increases and carrier change after rising LTD claims
Summary
Human Resources told the Utah County Commission it recommends phased, market-targeted pay adjustments (up to 2.6% total funding in 2021) to address jobs far below market and a switch in long-term disability carriers after insurers flagged rising, high-cost claims.
Ralph Barnes, director of human resources for Utah County, told commissioners during a budget work session that his office recommends a targeted, phased approach to pay adjustments in 2021 and a change in the county's life and disability carrier because of rising long-term disability (LTD) claims.
Barnes presented a countywide compensation “pie,” saying 36% of total compensation is benefits (about $38 million) and 64% is wages (about $69 million). He said the county has lagged market wage growth in recent years and that a focused market-pricing strategy — rather than a blanket cost-of-living adjustment — would correct the largest gaps while controlling cost. "I recommend allocating up to, you know, 2.6% additional wage funding for pay adjustments in 2021," Barnes said.
Barnes proposed a combined…
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