Grants Pass delays awarding non‑bargaining compensation study after council seeks references and work samples

Councilors paused an award of the non‑bargaining salary and compensation study RFP on April 6, asking staff to collect references and sample deliverables before finalizing a contract. Aaron, the staff presenter, said the RFP sought a consultant to benchmark southern Oregon comparator cities; the low proposal was Synergize HR at $15,900, with higher bids up to $35,000.

Jackie Kennedy of Synergize HR joined virtually and described the firm's process: “All data we receive, everything we analyze, all the numbers behind what we do is inside a spreadsheet that we do provide to our clients,” she said, adding that the firm provides position‑by‑position min, mid and max ranges and can provide limited advisory support after implementation.

Councilors probed whether the consultant would disclose formulas or a rubric and whether the city manager would be included on the salary scale. Several councilors expressed a desire to see municipal references and an example of finished work. Councilor Rob said he favored a smaller, more agile firm but added, “I’d like to see an example specific example of their work and exactly how well it is explained and how well it is laid out so that we’re not hit with a surprise in eight weeks.”

After discussion, the council voted to postpone the award pending staff verification of references and delivery of example work products and to return the item at a subsequent meeting (vote recorded: Victoria yes; Seth yes; Joel yes; Indra abstain; Rob yes; Rick yes; Eric yes). Staff was directed to request screenshots of the Synergize spreadsheet, reference checks and to report back; if red flags appear, staff will pause the contract award and return to council.