Killeen HR: employee engagement scores improve to 381; survey moves to biennial cycle

Human Resources presented a multi‑year employee engagement survey that the city has run since 2019 with UT Austin. HR reported that the city’s overall engagement score increased from 342 in the first wave to 381 in 2026, moving above the 350 benchmark the consultant treats as “desirable.” The 68‑question survey covers 12 constructs including pay and benefits, internal communications, and job satisfaction.

HR noted response‑rate benchmarks (responses above 50% indicate soundness) and said the city’s response rate has stayed consistent. Staff described concrete follow-up actions taken since 2019: city manager talks with employee groups, a restructured supervisors academy, a move from UnitedHealthcare to Blue Cross Blue Shield with self‑funding to keep premiums nearly flat, and new wellness programming. HR said the survey will be run every other year in years opposite the citizen communications survey to enable trend analysis.

Council members thanked staff and pressed for department-level follow-ups; HR said many constructs score near the desirable threshold and emphasized targeting training and communication where constructs lag. Council member McKimball requested clarification about benefits changes and was told the city will rebid benefits in spring 2027 to remain competitive.