During a recent city council meeting, discussions centered on a proposed wage and compensation study, with a quote of $21,250 from Pontifex Consulting Group, LLC. The study aims to address concerns about employee retention and compensation disparities in comparison to nearby cities.

Human Resources Manager Mitzi Carter provided background on the issue, noting that the last wage and compensation study was completed in November 2023. The study utilized data from twelve comparable organizations in northern Nevada, including cities like Reno and Sparks, which have significantly larger budgets than Fernley. This raised concerns among council members about the validity of using these larger cities as benchmarks for compensation comparisons.

Councilman Torres expressed skepticism about the relevance of comparing Fernley’s compensation to that of Reno and Sparks, citing their much larger budgets and questioning the fairness of such comparisons. He argued that the city should focus on more comparable entities to avoid inflating expectations for wage increases that may not be feasible given Fernley’s budget constraints.

Councilwoman McCain echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for a more accurate comparison that reflects the city’s financial realities. The council discussed the importance of understanding why employees are leaving, with many citing better pay as a primary reason. Councilman Hammond noted that while Fernley may not match the salaries of larger cities, it should still strive to offer competitive wages to retain talent.

Ultimately, the council voted to approve the quote from Pontifex Consulting Group and directed staff to draft a contract that excludes Reno and Sparks from the comparison. The motion passed with a vote of four to one, reflecting a consensus on the need for a tailored approach to the wage study that aligns with Fernley’s unique circumstances.