Category: Evergreen Solutions

Evergreen Solutions was retained by Sumter County, FL to conduct a comprehensive market salary study designed to ascertain the external equity of its compensation plan. The County desires to evaluate its competitiveness with not only the public sector, but the private sector as well. Evergreen Solutions employed a methodology that includes data from both of these critical markets and took into account the importance of total compensation including salaries, benefits, and supplements and provides recommendations for improvements as needed.

In addition, Evergreen Solutions evaluated the County’s classifications to determine if a functional combination of positions is possible or appropriate and made administrative recommendations designed to aid the County in maintaining the system over time.

Jefferson County retained Evergreen Solutions to conduct a comprehensive compensation and classification study to analyze the County’s market competitiveness and internal equity.

Located just 40 miles southwest of the City of St. Louis, Jefferson County possesses a unique set of challenges being on the border of more rural, suburban, and even metropolitan markets. Maintaining market competitive compensation and classification plans in these environments requires special effort.

The study included comprehensive classification analysis using the Job Assessment Tool job valuation methodology in addition to a statistical assessment of current conditions. An assessment of external equity including a salary survey of competing organizations was also conducted. The project concluded with a series of findings and recommendations designed to alleviate any strains on the system and, if necessary, redesigned the existing system in place for the County.

The City of Mauldin retained Evergreen Solutions to provide oversight into the data collection process regarding compensation and classification as well as provide recommendations following the collection of the data for the City to transition into a purely merit-based pay system. The purpose of the study was to review the current structure that has not been updated in the last few years utilizing the position rating manual and position analysis questionnaire; review the salary survey methods and results collected from local municipalities and national IMCA data; verify overall grade placement and internal equity for the organization as a whole; ensure external equity with the marketplace; and provide oversight on transition to a performance management, merit-pay system.

As part of the study, Evergreen Solutions reviewed the materials provided by the City and gave feedback on best practices and market trends; analyzed internal equity data collected by the City and give feedback to address internal equity; reviewed salary survey data collected by the City for accuracy and provided insight regarding findings; developed the strategic position for the City utilizing collected data and desired intentions of the City; and assisted the City with developing a transition plan.

The City of Branson, Missouri retained Evergreen Solutions to conduct a comprehensive compensation and classification study to determine if the City possessed a compensation and classification system that was both equitable as compared to the external competitive employment market and equitable internally. In doing so, the City of Branson hoped to design a system that would enable them to recruit, retain, and motivate a qualified workforce as well as compensate employees at a fair, equitable and competitive rate.

The study included a complete classification analysis including a statistical assessment of internal conditions and an assessment of external equity. Specifically, Evergreen Solutions conducted a salary and benefits survey of competing organizations, reviewed and assessed current job duties in all classifications, as well as culminated a series of findings and recommendations designed to alleviate any strains on the system and, if necessary, redesigned or augmented the existing system in place at the City of Branson.

In September 2009, the Town of Colchester retained Evergreen Solutions to assist with an efficiency and effectiveness review of Town operations. The study included a multi-disciplinary approach to gaining input from employees, managers, elected officials, and citizens. Data was collected through employee focus groups, employee and manager surveys, manager interviews,  a community survey, employee job analysis, benchmark analysis, and process review sessions. An overall operational model was created to summarize Town operations and link employee tasks, major functional activities, key business processes, and services or programs together for all levels of the organization and analyze the value, performance and resources for each element.

The results of the model were compared to current and potential outcomes through gap analysis and a series of recommendations were created to address the current and future needs of the Town. Each recommendation was then be coupled with specific action plans, timelines, resource outcomes, and assignment of duties. In addition, the current classification structure was updated to ensure that the documented division of work matched organizational reality.

Allegany County, Maryland contracted with Evergreen Solutions to conduct a comprehensive compensation study and analysis for the Office of the Sheriff. The Office of the Sheriff included the primary functional areas of Road Patrol and Correction Deputies at the county correctional facility. Evergreen Solutions understood that the Office of the Sheriff faced competitive pressure from other area law enforcement agencies and is designing a salary survey instrument for distribution to an approved list of local peers. This survey took into account total compensation, including supplemental pay, insurance benefits, retirement, leave, and other tangible benefits.

The results of this survey and the subsequently prepared report provided the County with recommendations designed to improve their competitive position and ability to recruit the best and brightest available persons for these key areas.

Evergreen Solutions performed Denton County’s first Comprehensive Classification, Compensation, and Benefits Study in 15 years. The study included conducting employee orientation sessions, focus groups and interviews, as well as a job analysis for more than 1,550 Denton County employees. The study also included a comprehensive salary and benefits survey of local, regional, public, and private labor market peers, which helped Evergreen Solutions assess the County’s competitive position for wages and benefits. The data collected eventually contributed to the development of recommendations for the compensation structure and individual job classification slotting.

The content of all classification descriptions were updated, and FLSA designations and ADA compliance were reviewed. At the conclusion of the engagement, our consultants provided compensation administration guidelines and training on Evergreen Solutions’ JobForce software to provide Denton County with the tools necessary to maintain the new system.