Buckeye Lake approves $15,500 contract for compensation study after debate over timing and cost

Buckeye Lake Village Council voted 6–1 on Aug. 11 to authorize the mayor to sign a $15,500 contract with Clemans-Nelson & Associates for a classification and compensation study and organizational analysis.

Mayor Linda Goodman said she had questions about the timing and whether the study would be completed in time to be used for next year's budget, noting concerns about the rates and schedule. Council supporters, including Councilor Deb Julian and Councilor Sue Wadley, said the study would provide consistent job descriptions, salary comparisons and data useful for future budgeting and personnel decisions. The contract also includes a retainer provision of $250 per month, not to exceed $3,000 annually.

Councilor Tom Wolfe cast the lone vote against the ordinance. Wolfe said he opposed spending village funds on out-of-town consultants and believed local alternatives might be available. In council comments after the vote he said he was "not a big fan of spending money on out-of-town experts."

Why this matters: A formal, external compensation study can standardize job classifications and pay comparators, potentially influencing wage and benefit decisions for village employees. Council members debated whether the timing of the study would allow the results to inform next year's budget.

What happens next: The contract was authorized and the mayor is directed to execute it; the administration and Personnel Committee will oversee implementation and review the firm's findings. Council did not set a public deadline in the meeting record; the mayor and council discussed possibly beginning the study in January if timing is an issue.

Vote: Motion to adopt Ordinance 2025-47 passed 6–1 (No: Tom Wolfe).