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Aspen HR outlines staffing, new medical tier and Workways project to boost retention
Summary
HR directors told council they will add an HRIS, run a compensation study ahead of the 2027 budget, roll out a new lower‑cost medical tier for employees and lead the multi‑department 'Workways' effort to improve retention, flexibility and performance metrics.
City HR leaders presented to council on Oct. 6 a compact plan of staffing investments and operational changes intended to improve retention, meet legislative compliance and modernize HR systems.
Jessica Roberts, HR director, said the HR team will implement a new HR information system in early 2026, launch a compensation study timed for results before the 2027 budget, and update the personnel policy manual to reflect legislative changes. Roberts highlighted an internal cost‑sharing medical tier led by Administrative Services Director Alyssa Farrell that will reduce out‑of‑pocket costs for employees; staff will provide an all‑city roll‑out and communications on Oct. 28.
Roberts said the HR team has hired 133 full‑ and part‑time employees year‑to‑date, reducing vacancy from 8.5% earlier this year to 5.4% and that the department received a 100% score on a recent CRRSA property and casualty audit. The council congratulated HR on an employee appreciation bonus that will be paid on the next payroll date.
Workways: Diane (executive sponsor) and the Workways team described a cross‑organizational project to shape the city’s future of work with change‑management training, meeting technology upgrades, role redefinitions, process improvement and options including flexible schedules and housing priorities for key employees. Diane said about "49% of all city staff have been here 3 years or less," underscoring retention concerns and the need to widen the recruitment pool.
Council feedback requested more detail on where HR FTE requests fit by department, benchmarking of FTE counts and budgets against peer cities, and the cost and sequencing of the HRIS and compensation work. Roberts and colleagues said they will provide additional details at subsequent work sessions.
