Whitepapers

In today’s competitive landscape, local governments face a significant challenge: balancing internal pay equity while offering competitive compensation packages that attract and retain top talent. This balancing act becomes particularly crucial for leadership positions that exist in both public and private sectors, where market forces often create salary disparities that…

Read More about Revitalizing Local Government Leadership: A Guide to Effective Compensation Strategies

Local governments across the country are facing unprecedented challenges in recruiting and retaining talent for crucial positions. The competition from the private sector, coupled with changing workforce expectations, has made it increasingly difficult to fill essential roles that keep our communities running smoothly. This post explores practical strategies to attract…

Read More about Innovative Recruitment Strategies for Hard-to-Fill Local Government Positions

What Is Recency Bias in Public Sector Pay? Recency bias in local government compensation refers to a growing phenomenon where newer employees tend to receive higher salaries than their longer-tenured colleagues performing similar work. According to proprietary data from City Compensation, this wage disparity is not just anecdotal but a…

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The current macroeconomic landscape presents a complex picture for workers across all sectors, but particularly for those in public service. With rising inflation, trade tensions, fluctuating consumer confidence, elevated interest rates, and the ongoing housing affordability crisis, we’re seeing a significant shift in employment patterns that merits closer examination. Economic…

Read More about Economic Headwinds and Public Sector Employment Stability: 2025-2026 Outlook

Local government roles offer essential public services that keep our communities functioning, but beneath the surface of these civic institutions lies a persistent challenge: the gender pay gap. While progress has been made toward equality, significant disparities remain, particularly in leadership positions. This post examines the current state of gender…

Read More about Bridging the Gap: Gender Pay Disparities in Local Government Leadership

As city managers prepare for the upcoming 2025/2026 budget cycle, compensation planning requires careful consideration of economic trends, labor market dynamics, and long-term fiscal sustainability. This post outlines key strategies for developing a compensation framework that balances employee retention with fiscal responsibility. Economic Context Assessment Begin by analyzing current economic…

Read More about Municipal Compensation Planning for the 2025/2026 Budget Cycle