Hall County’s Board of Commissioners signed a resolution on Dec. 8 to fully implement a new wage and compensation structure in addition to a 3 percent cost of living increase for all eligible county employees. The changes to the county’s wage and compensation structure will be made based on the results of a comprehensive study conducted by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia.
“Balancing value and quality for the citizens of Hall County is vital, which is why we invested the time to conduct a comprehensive study,” said Jock Connell, county administrator. “Ensuring county employees are paid appropriately in regards to the current market and their job demands ensures the county can attract and retain high-quality individuals to serve our community.”
The comprehensive study was started in 2019 but was suspended in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It was a blessing that the study had to be suspended as we saw an increase in the cost of living during the pandemic, and picking the study back up in 2021 allowed those changes to be accounted for and adjusted for,” said Dr. LisaRae Jones, Hall County’s Human Resources director.
The Carl Vinson Institute Wage and Compensation Study thoroughly examines internal equity and external competitiveness through questionnaires, surveys, meetings, and data from other counties of comparative size and economic standing. The outcome of the study includes more than just compensation breakdowns; it also provides thorough job descriptions and position evaluation tools.
“The goal is not only to provide fair and competitive compensation to our employees but also to ensure we can fairly evaluate new candidates and work performance,” said Jones.
“Hall County continues to be a great place to live, and that also means making sure it’s a great place to work,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Richard Higgins of the resolution.