The request is for the City Council to approve the City Manager entering into an agreement with Evergreen Solutions, LLC to conduct a Classification and Compensation Study in respect to the General Employees for an amount not to exceed $40,500.

As you are aware, the City contracted with Evergreen Solutions, LLC, a management firm specializing in public sector wage and benefit compensation studies in 2022 to conduct a review of the positions covered under the labor contract with the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association. Also, as you already know, the city has made the commitment to conduct a comprehensive compensation evaluation for each of the city’s employee groups at least once every three years.  The purpose of the evaluations is to remain market competitive by providing external equity with comparable communities and ensuring appropriate internal alignment. The city’s employees are an important resource, and a competitive and equitable pay plan is an effective means by which to attract and retain qualified personnel to careers within the city.  This year the employee group that is due to be evaluated are the General Employees of the city.  At the current time it is expected that the study will be completed in July of 2023.  If wage adjustments are determined to be in order it is my plan that they will be reflected in the FY 23-24 budget.