Council allocated $20K in budget to pay for the analysis
By Dave Fidlin
A top-to-bottom review of staffing and wages within Whitewater’s municipal government will soon take place, following a recent decision by the Common Council.
Officials on July 15 voted to enter into a contract with Milwaukee-based public sector advisory firm Springsted at a price capping at $18,500.
“It is considered a best practice to review and update position descriptions and wage schedules on a regular basis – every three to five years,” City Manager Cameron Clapper said.
The last comprehensive review of the city’s staffing structure took place in 2008, Clapper said, and a few minor tweaks have been implemented in the ensuing years.
“There is no recent record of a professional review of employee wages,” Clapper added.
In a letter to the city, Springsted Vice President Joseph Murray and Vice President Consultant Ann Antonsen expressed enthusiasm in undertaking the project.
“Our firm has assisted numerous jurisdictions in Wisconsin, the Upper Midwest and throughout the United States in addressing their classification, compensation and human resources issues, and in performing specialized management studies,” Murray and Antonsen wrote.
Early this year, the city sent a request for proposals (RFP) for private sector firms interested in undertaking the study. Seven firms responded, Clapper said. While it was not the lowest bidder, Springsted came in as the recommended firm.
The council had placed $20,000 into this year’s budget for the staffing and wage analysis, meaning the Springsted bid comes in under the allocated figure.
According to a timeline discussed at the July 15 council meeting, Springsted representatives are expected to begin their analysis in August and complete it by the end of the year.
