Georgia County Government - January 2009 - (Page 40)

ResearchCorner County Comparisons: How Does Your County Rate? he current economic climate has caused many county governments to review their current employee structure and salaries. During this time, counties often wonder if there is a need to increase or cut the workforce in one department over another or whether certain positions warrant higher or lower salaries in order to attract or retain employees. In order to determine if your county is getting the biggest bang for their buck it is often helpful to compare your county to counties that are similarly situated. Thanks to the yearly Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Wage and Salary Survey, this information is at your fingertips. Each year, the Department of Community Affairs surveys counties and cities in order to provide detailed wage and salary information including job descriptions, number of full-time and part-time employees, scheduled work hours per week and the starting and maximum salaries for more than 150 positions. The survey is divided into four areas: Public Safety, Public Works/Solid Waste Positions, General and Administrative, and Elected Officials. A separate report is issued for each of these areas and contains wage and salary information for all 159 counties. The information collected can be used in a variety of ways. You can generate your own report by choosing the city or county menu contained in the query section. Once the level of government is selected, you can choose the counties that you want to compare. The comparison can be based on population or a random sample. Population groups are separated into six subgroups ranging from less than 10,000 (smallest) to 100,000 and above (largest). Next select the factors to include in your report, such as the hiring range and positions that you would like compared. Comparisons can be made for a single year or up to ten years, if the data is available for that position. Once the factors have been selected, click the “Get Results” button to access the report for your query. In the event that your query is too detailed, you may have to refine your search to include a more limited inquiry. The Wage and Salary Survey is a great research tool to use in order to verify that your county is within the same hiring range and has the same labor force as similarly situated counties. It can also help your county project how to grow your government as the population or needs of your counties increase by looking at those counties that have already reached certain populations. For more information on how to obtain the complete 2008 Wage and Survey Reports or how to access the Wage and Survey Report online, please visit the Department of Community Affairs Web site at http://www.dca.state.ga.us/dcawss/reports.html. ■ T By Michele NeSmith Research and Policy Development Director Each year, the Department of Community Affairs surveys counties and cities in order to provide detailed wage and salary information. The Wage and Salary Survey is a great research tool to use in order to verify that your county is within the same hiring range and has the same labor force as similarly situated counties. 40 GEORGIA COUNTY GOVERNMENT http://www.dca.state.ga.us/dcawss/reports.html

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - January 2009

Georgia County Government - January 2009 Contents President’s Message County Matters Forward-Thinking Bulloch County Leaders Put Progress on the Front Burner Robert Farris: Champion for Georgia’s Forests ACCG, BCBS of Georgia Work Together to Improve County Employee Health Georgia’s Grand Old Courthouses: McIntosh County Extension News: Cooperative Extension Generates ROI Research Corner: How Does Your County Rate? County Parade Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - January 2009

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