The Waupaca County Board of Supervisors passed a $10,000 resolution to approve a market study update for county staff. Although even some supervisors question bringing in an outside firm for this task, Waupaca County Chairman Dick Koeppen explains that Charles Carlson has had a strong reputation for this service.
“This is a firm that we’ve used since the early 2000’s, Koeppen said. “He’s familiar with all the counties and municipalities in Wisconsin and comparison and salary studies, and we don’t compare ourselves with Outagamie County and that type of thing. He has similarities that he groups together and he’s the professional that does this and it really works quite well.”
The study intends to ensure county employees are compensated fairly, which Koeppen emphasizes is critical to retaining employees.
“What he’s going to do is come in and update our various positions,” said Koeppen. “It’s so easy to fall behind and once your fall behind in keeping up with proper salaries, it’s hard to recoup. Not only that, but you have the danger of some very good people leaving for larger counties and this has happened in the past.”
Carlson Dettman Consultants will assist the county with implementing a pay-for-performance model for department heads and plans for general staff have the intent to transform to a more variable pay-for-performance model after the department head pay plan is implemented.