Title
Resolution authorizing the County Administrator to implement the recommendations of the 2024 Compensation Study, as reviewed and accepted by the County Administrator’s Office and Lake County’s Human Resources Department.
Staff Summary
• In February 2024, Lake County acquired Baker Tilly, LLP to conduct a comprehensive compensation study on all of the County’s non-represented employees.
• The consultant analyzed the County’s non-represented positions through a comprehensive job analysis and market assessment and in August 2024 County staff and Baker Tilly, LLP presented the findings of the compensation study to the Financial and Administrative Committee with recommendations.
• Based on the recommendations from Baker Tilly and Committee feedback, the County Administrator is implementing the Compensation Study by providing a 2% increase to all non-represented employees’ base salaries or bringing employees’ base salaries to the minimum of newly established salary grades, with some exceptions.
• Some of the increases recommended, and accepted by the County Administrator and Lake County Human Resources exceed 10%. This resolution authorizes the County Administrator to implement the Compensation Study and provide increases as necessary in alignment with the Compensation Study.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, in February 2024 the County Board authorized a contract with Baker Tilly LLP. to conduct a comprehensive compensation study for all of the County’s non-represented positions; and
WHEREAS, the consultant evaluated the County’s salary grade structure and all non-represented positions through a comprehensive job analysis and market assessment; and
WHEREAS, the consultant found, through the market assessment that:
- Lake County’s minimums are 7.8% below market minimums on average.
- Lake County’s midpoints are 1.4% below market midpoints on average.
- Lake County’s maximums are 0.5% above market maximums on average; and
WHEREAS, a new salary grade structure was recommended with proposed amendments and salary adjustments to current non-represented positions and employees, some of which result in increases to employees’ base salaries of over 10%; and
WHEREAS, on August 1, 2024, Lake County staff and Baker Tilly presented the results of the compensation study with options for recommendations on implementation; and
WHEREAS, based on Committee feedback and the Study results, the County Administrator is recommending that, all non-represented employees will receive a 2% increase to their base salary, or will be brought to the minimum of their new salary grade - whichever is greater, with some exceptions; and
WHEREAS, the County Administrator needs authority to provide the increases that exceed 10% for some employees.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Board recognizes the importance of being competitive the current market for our non-represented positions, and ensuring that our current staff are being compensated appropriately and fairly; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a comprehensive Compensation Study was conducted by a compensation expert that resulted in a new salary grade system, and recommendations on revised compensation for non-represented positions and employees; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Board authorizes the County Administrator to implement the recommendations of the Compensation Study, as reviewed and accepted by the County Administrator’s Office and the County’s Human Resources Department and provide increases in alignment with the Compensation Study.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois on November 12, 2024.