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County hears Pontefex compensation study; staff will bring recommendations into next budget
Summary
Pontefex HR presented a compensation study May 4 finding Rowan County generally aligned with peer counties but recommending continued market monitoring, salary-range adjustments where appropriate, and procedural changes; staff said implementation recommendations and estimated fiscal impacts (study-related items ~ $344,000) will be included in the upcoming budget.
Pontefex HR Consulting presented the results of a countywide compensation study to Rowan County commissioners on May 4 and advised staff to use the findings to align pay with regional labor markets and prevent compression.
Pete Ronza of Pontefex described the methodology: comparing job descriptions to a prescribed set of peer counties, aggregating minimums and maximums for job rates, and complementing that analysis with internal equity review. He emphasized that the study values jobs, not individual incumbents, and recommended maintaining a market "sweet spot" for pay to attract and retain staff. "The comp system only does 1 thing for a living, and that's attract and retain," Ronza said.
Pontefex found the county largely in a competitive position overall but offered recommendations and cautioned that any salary-range movements could require bringing incumbents up to new minimums. Staff said Pontefex will provide a year of free support and that any recommended salary adjustments would be processed through the budget cycle, with effective dates tied to the budget (July 1). Staff reported an estimated implementation or study cost of approximately $344,000.
Commissioners asked whether comparisons included private-sector employers; staff and consultants said the study compared the county to other counties and similarly sized local public employers per the RFP instructions. Staff indicated they will present proposed changes and fiscal impacts ahead of budget deliberations so the board can consider them during the budget process.
What happens next: staff will work with Pontefex and bring concrete salary-range recommendations and fiscal impacts to the board for inclusion in the FY2026-27 budget process.
