After debate, Valdosta council selects Evergreen Solutions for $58,500 compensation study

Valdosta city council approved a citywide compensation study contract with Evergreen Solutions at a not-to-exceed cost of $58,500 after extended debate and a failed motion to table the item.

HR Director Ginny Boyer described a competitive RFP process that produced 11 qualified responses and three finalists; an independent committee that included staff and council members recommended Evergreen Solutions as the preferred partner. "Their total not to exceed fixed cost for their their proposal is $58,500, which is within the budgeted amount in the fiscal 20 26 budget," Boyer said.

A councilwoman raised a string of questions and suggested the item be tabled, expressing concern that the committee selection might have been biased and asking why staff could not perform the work. Boyer and other council members responded that compensation studies are typically conducted by outside consultants to provide objective, regional benchmarking data and that staff lacks the broad comparative data that consultants provide.

The council debated scheduling and whether to defer to a special call meeting; staff noted some personnel would be unavailable during the next week due to conferences. After the initial move to table, the council later returned to the original motion to approve the recommendation. A council member who opposed the final vote said, "I'm not gonna agree with it because I think it's a bad decision." The council recorded four votes in favor and one opposed before passing the motion.

Boyer said consultants will benchmark pay structures, benefits and job descriptions against comparable employers and will present recommendations to council; any resulting pay changes would require subsequent council approval. Council did not set a firm timeline for the consultant's final report during the meeting; staff said the study is part of the FY2026 budget process and will be brought back to council for decisions on implementation.