Parowan City Council is taking significant steps to enhance employee retention and satisfaction through a revamped salary structure, unveiled during a recent meeting. City leaders emphasized that human capital is both the largest expense and the most valuable asset for the city, making it crucial to attract and retain quality personnel.

The new salary plan, developed in-house with the help of consultant Jennifer Bradbury, aims to address disparities in pay compared to similar regional cities. The study revealed that most positions, particularly management roles, are underpaid, leading to a concerning trend of losing employees to nearby municipalities like Cedar City and Brian Head. City officials noted that replacing staff is costly and detrimental to service quality, as it results in the loss of institutional knowledge.

Importantly, the new salary structure will not require a tax increase. Instead, it will be funded through operational savings and careful budget prioritization. The total cost of implementing the new plan is approximately $322,000, with a focus on maintaining fiscal responsibility while improving employee compensation.

The structure introduces a hybrid system combining step increases based on tenure with merit-based bonuses to reward high performance. This approach aims to create a clear career path for employees, encouraging them to excel and remain with the city. The council is optimistic that this new framework will lead to reduced turnover and improved service quality.

As the city prepares to roll out this new plan in July 2025, officials are committed to training supervisors on the evaluation process and ensuring that employees understand how the changes will affect their compensation. The council's proactive measures reflect a dedication to investing in the workforce while maintaining budgetary constraints, setting a positive tone for the future of Parowan City.