Study focuses on city wages

SANDPOINT — The salary structure and benefits for most city jobs are in line with competitors, but actual wages are lagging slightly behind, according to a new market comparability study.

The study, compiled by Boise-based consulting firm BDPA, Inc., was presented to the City Council last week.

The study was based on a survey of area public entities and independent districts offering similar jobs to the city, according to BDPA’s Andrea Fogleman. Fogleman said the survey had a 72 percent response rate, which is higher than BDPA’s typical 50-60 percent response.

After analyzing the results, Fogleman found that actual wages for city employees are 6.7 percent less than those of survey participants, but salary structures are more competitive, both internally and externally.

The city’s minimum salary is below the market average by about 2.3 percent, while the maximum salary is on par with competitors.

“It appears, based on those two things, that your salary structure is very competitive in current market conditions, but the actual wages are behind,” Fogleman said. “For some reason, the wages paid to employees here in Sandpoint are probably lower in the assigned ranges, but the ranges are appropriately aligned with the market.”

The city’s strongest point, according to the survey, is its total compensation package, which includes medical benefits, vacation time, sick time and retirement contributions.

“What we found, really, is that on that basis, your benefits are very competitive,” Fogleman said.

Fogleman said individual city employees, on average, pay $200 less per month toward medical premiums than competitors, while those on family plans pay $400 less per month.

Despite lagging behind competitors in actual wages, Fogleman did not recommend the city make salary increases this year, but did recommend making changes to the city’s pay grade so it is possible for employees to make more money.