Town survey shows high employee satisfaction; HR to include results in FY25 plan

Human Resources lead Annie Evans presented results of an employee-engagement survey conducted Jan. 30–Feb. 26 that covered Town of Bluffton employees and received a 70% participation rate (114 respondents). Evans told council that 94% of respondents said they are satisfied with their job, and that major metrics such as feeling part of something meaningful and access to training showed measurable increases compared with the 2022 survey.

Evans said department-level differences surfaced in the results: police-department respondents reported improved training and communication metrics but also noted retention concerns and staffing-change worries for a portion of officers. The HR presentation highlighted prior initiatives spawned from earlier surveys — employee development plans, paid parental leave, a PTO donation policy, and a home-buying assistance program — and said the department plans to use the FY25 strategy cycle to act on this survey’s findings.

Councilmembers asked about survey frequency and whether exit-survey responses were factored into the results; Evans said the town conducts exit surveys and that HR reviews those responses, and she regarded the 70% participation rate as providing a reliable picture of current employee sentiment. Council members complimented the high response and asked HR to return with implementation steps tied to the strategic plan.