Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lea County staff outlines $1.79M compensation strategy and FY27 budget presentations
Summary
County HR and finance staff presented a contracted compensation study recommending a 12-step pay range and a 2.6–2.7% cost-of-living adjustment; first-year cost to bring many employees into range and address compression was estimated at about $1.79 million, with an additional $954,000 proposed for seven new positions.
Lea County staff presented the results of a contracted compensation study and walked commissioners through proposed FY27 personnel and departmental budget changes on April 9.
HR and finance staff recommended a countywide, 12-step pay structure with midpoint ranges and a proposed cost-of-living adjustment of roughly 2.6–2.7% effective July 1. The study identified employees paid below the recommended ranges (about 70 nonexempt positions and fewer exempt positions) and described a multi-year approach to bringing employees into range while addressing compression. Officials estimated the immediate fiscal impact of implementing the range adjustments (including compression fixes and the COLA) at about $1,790,000 for this fiscal year; staff also cited associated increases in FICA, pension and benefits that would add incremental costs.
Staff also proposed seven additional positions to address operational needs (facilities, environmental technician, assistant county attorney, office manager, procurement/buyer, and others) with a combined cost of about $954,000 if approved. Commissioners asked questions about tax and PERA implications for lump-sum payments to employees paid above the top of a range; staff said lump-sum treatments are taxable and not PERA-eligible and noted the plan will be implemented over multiple years.
The compensation discussion occurred amid a broader set of FY27 departmental budget presentations covering commissioners’ operating budgets, airport, detention center (including a ductwork overhaul and $50,000 of noncapital equipment), events center, fair and rodeo, finance, communications, legal and road department budgets. Several department heads described line-item reductions and targeted increases tied to utilities, maintenance, and program-specific needs.
No final action on compensation was taken at the meeting; staff requested direction and budget authority to finalize the FY27 proposals and return for formal action where needed.
