St. Croix County approves pay-grade increase for county engineer to aid recruitment

Audrey, a county staff member, asked the administration committee to regrade the county engineer position from grade 31 to grade 32 after recruitment efforts over 10 months produced no qualified candidates. Audrey said market wages in the area are more competitive and stated that outsourcing design and construction oversight would cost "upwards of $100,000," while the regrade would increase salary costs by about $10,000.

She described recruitment outreach that included two recruitment firms and earlier applicant interviews; wage levels were identified as the primary barrier to filling the county engineer role. "Without an in house engineer, we will end up outsourcing our design and construction oversight, which will carry significant costs upwards of a $100,000," Audrey said. "So moving the position from grade 31 to 32... a cost of about $10,000."

Supervisor Shirley asked whether the change would be sufficient to attract candidates; Audrey replied that it should and that an applicant was on the line who could be hired if the regrade passed. Supervisor Shirley moved to approve the regrade; Vice Chair Counter seconded the motion and the committee approved it unanimously.

The committee approved the grade increase to improve recruitment prospects and to avoid higher outsourcing costs. County staff will proceed with offer and recruitment steps consistent with the updated pay grade.