CARRBORO, N.C. -- On Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, the Carrboro Town Council authorized implementation of a compensation and classification study designed to increase town employees’ pay to more competitive levels. A study showed that the town’s pay rates were 7.5% below similar governmental entities, contributing to vacancies across departments. The plan will provide all employees with a 2% across-the-board pay adjustment, increase starting salaries, and make internal pay adjustments.
“The goal of this study was to position the Town of Carrboro as a competitive employer by providing a sound compensation strategy, ensuring equitable compensation across all Town positions, and addressing recruitment and retention challenges within the tight and dynamic labor market,” said Town Manager Richard J. White III. “We are pleased that the new compensation ranges are competitive with the market. I appreciate the Town Council’s support and approval of the implementation plan.”
The study was completed by Management Advisory Group (MAG). The comprehensive study included receiving employee input related to all 91 positions in the Town at the time of the study as well as a market survey benchmarking nearly one-third of all positions against 20 peer and competitor government employers.
In addition to the pay adjustments, all positions were placed in a new unified range plan with employees performing the same level of duties and responsibilities positioned in the same class and pay grade, regardless of the number of hours worked. These new ranges are competitive with the market.
The Council addressed an initial market adjustment for all Police Department staff in January 2022. Then, in July 2022, all permanent Town employees, including the Police Department staff, received a $3,000 adjustment. Together, the two adjustments lessened the total impact of the cost to implement the recommended position classification and pay plan.
The implementation date is Oct. 8, 2022.
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