Shoshone County BOCC eyes wage study

WALLACE — Shoshone County officials are exploring options for an employee wage study.

Earlier this week, the Shoshone Board of County Commissioners reviewed a $26,000 proposal from Meridian-based consulting firm AmeriBen. Commissioner Tracy Casady said AmeriBen was recommended by commissioners from other counties who have performed similar studies, but they would still need to seek other bids. 

The wage study is part of a promise the BOCC made last summer. The hope is the study will help the county ensure it is in line with other like-sized counties throughout the state in terms of employee pay.

The previous board allowed departments to create their own pay scales, including amounts and frequencies of raises, but they had to be approved by the board. 

The county roads department and the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office completed this process, but when several departments didn't, it led to further disparity in pay.

“This is something that I would like to see completed and have been pushing for since I was appointed to office,” Casady said. “The county must remain consistent across the board and avoid any biases. We must hold fair pay standards."

Casady also brought up the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and how the study will consider more than base wages, but also each position’s scope of responsibility, level of skill required, working conditions, benefits and longevity. 

Casady has had discussions with representatives from AmeriBen, who told her the $26,000 proposal could go lower if the county could help the study through different in-house measures, including gathering relevant information from the Idaho Association of Counties and participating in online meetings.

Commissioner Dave Dose said the wage study will be paid for using funds provided under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

“We’re going to commit to a long-range promise that no one has seemingly been able to keep,” Dose previously stated. “We think that a study will be the best way for us to protect our employees.” 

The county plans to seek at least two more proposals.