Utah County approves targeted market-offset pay increases effective Jan. 22

The Utah County Board of Commissioners voted on Jan. 26 to implement a market-offset pay increase effective Jan. 22, 2022 (pay period 3), intended to address positions identified as under market during a 2021 compensation review.

Ralph Barnes, the county’s HR director, told the board the county moved from intermittent compensation reviews to an annual market evaluation covering local peer counties. Staff set a threshold to flag positions approximately 6–7% below market and targeted increases to roles that fell short. Barnes said the adjustment addresses positions that were near but did not meet the earlier threshold and that the county will continue with the 2022 market study as planned.

Commissioners said the market-focused approach is preferable to a uniform cost-of-living adjustment, arguing the market study better targets pay inequities and helps preserve internal equity. The motion to approve the market-offset increase was made, seconded and passed 3–0.

The HR office said implementation will begin in the pay period starting Jan. 22, 2022, and that staff will conduct this year’s market analysis as previously scheduled.