Proctor council asks for more detail on Baker Tilly pay study, requests 12‑step and alternate comparators

Councilors discussed a Baker Tilly classification and compensation study presented at a pre‑agenda session and asked staff to provide the consultant’s slideshow and to request additional market scenarios.

Councelor Johnson said the council should see a 12‑step pay schedule and asked Baker Tilly to show options with and without larger comparators such as Duluth, Hermantown and Cloquet. “Troy was not saying get rid of 12 steps. He wanted 12 steps, but nobody was at 12,” Johnson said, asking staff to request the table showing grades 1–12. Several councilors debated whether percentage‑based raises or compression adjustments better serve lower‑paid staff and how changes would ripple across higher and lower pay grades.

Councelor Benson urged using a local recruiting market, listing nearby employers and institutions as the likely sources of staff departures. Councilors also voiced concern about perceived pay differences for the top three positions (city administrator, finance director and police chief) relative to other employees and asked staff to confirm details on selected comparator communities.

No formal action or pay changes were approved at the meeting. Staff agreed to send the Baker Tilly slideshow from the pre‑agenda meeting, ask the consultant whether alternative comparator sets can be provided, and return the additional tables and clarifications at a future meeting for further review.

Next steps: Administrator Rich and Finance Director Brunfelt will provide the Baker Tilly slides to councilors and request the 12‑step and comparator scenarios from the consultant for the council’s review at the next meeting.