Brooksville City Council is taking significant steps to enhance its employee compensation structure, aiming for a fair and competitive pay plan. During the regular meeting on July 21, 2025, council members discussed recommendations from an external market analysis that highlighted the need for adjustments to the city's pay ranges.

The analysis revealed that Brooksville's pay is currently about 12% below the market average, which poses challenges in attracting and retaining talent in a highly competitive labor market. The city is not looking to be the highest payer but aims to align salaries with market averages to ensure internal equity and competitiveness.

Key recommendations include adopting a hybrid parity model for salary adjustments, which considers both employee tenure and current job classification. This approach is designed to provide flexibility in rewarding high performers while addressing wage compression issues that have arisen in recent years. The council was informed that the implementation of these recommendations would require an estimated cost of $4.80 per hour in base salary adjustments.

The meeting also touched on the broader economic context, noting that while inflation rates are stabilizing, the city must remain proactive in its compensation strategy to avoid losing ground in the labor market. The council acknowledged the importance of continuous compensation studies, with plans to conduct these assessments every three to five years to keep pace with changing market conditions.

In conclusion, the council's commitment to revising the pay plan reflects a strategic effort to enhance employee satisfaction and operational effectiveness in Brooksville. As the city moves forward, these adjustments are expected to play a crucial role in attracting skilled workers and maintaining a motivated workforce.