City staff recommend Public Sector Personnel Consultants for 2025–26 classification and compensation study

City staff recommended the council approve a contract with Public Sector Personnel Consultants to perform a citywide classification and compensation study that would inform pay structure and possible fiscal year 2027 implementation.

Anna McCray, the city’s human resources director, told the council the proposed study differs from routine compensation updates by reviewing job duties, classification and pay structures, and by involving employees, department directors, HR, finance, legal and city management. The 2025–26 study scope calls for analyzing at least 85% of the city’s roughly 180 classified positions, including public safety roles.

McCray said the city issued a request for proposals on March 13, 2025, received 11 responses and narrowed the field to four finalists through an independent review and interviews. A cross-departmental panel including police Commander Cindy Ewer, Parks and Recreation Director Liz Lingenbach and finance and procurement staff recommended Public Sector Personnel Consultants as the unanimous top choice; McCray said the firm is Arizona-based, previously performed past city work and submitted the lowest cost responsive bid.

Staff said the contract was scheduled for the July 15 consent agenda; if authorized, the study would run about six to seven months with a final report expected by January 2026 to inform fiscal 2027 budget decisions.

Councilmember Heck asked about potential perception of bias from hiring a firm that previously worked with the city; McCray said the panel weighed institutional knowledge and current work the firm was doing for comparator jurisdictions and found Public Sector Personnel Consultants to be responsive and cost-effective.

No formal council action was recorded at the meeting; staff said they will place the contract on the July 15 consent agenda.