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Board adopts revised unaffiliated wage ranges to address compression; 5–1 vote
Summary
The Board approved new classification-based wage ranges for unaffiliated (nonunion) town positions for FY26–27, a measure staff said will reduce internal pay compression and align ranges with market comparators. The vote passed 5–0 with one abstention.
Town HR and management presented a restructured set of wage bands for unaffiliated (nonunion) positions designed to reduce internal compression and align pay with market comparators.
HR Director Eric explained the classification framework and said staff compared ranges with peer communities and recent compensation studies. Management noted two incumbent positions (the finance director and public works director) are slightly above the proposed maximums, a result the presenters described as normal for unique shared responsibilities; staff recommended keeping incumbents in place while applying the new bands going forward.
Board members asked whether the ranges should be expanded or whether alternatives such as sign‑on bonuses should be used to recruit hard-to-fill positions. Staff said sign‑on bonuses have drawbacks (pension and tax implications) and emphasized managing ranges through regular review and classification updates. One member said the new ranges are a fair effort to codify internal equity while preserving flexibility to recruit experienced candidates.
Motion to adopt the town manager’s proposed unaffiliated wage ranges for FY26–27 carried: 5 in favor, 1 abstention. The board asked staff to return with annual updates and to monitor compression risks.
