The Crossville City Council voted this morning in a special called meeting to proceed with bringing wages for city employees up to be more competitive in the market.

The city council recently reviewed results of a compensation and wage study for city employees. McGrath Human Resources Group told the council that the city’s employee turnover rate was higher than several cities close to the size of Crossville used to compare pay. The study also showed the entry pay for 83 percent of positions offered by the city was below market value and 5 percent could possibly fall below the average market. For incumbent rates, the city is 61 percent below average market and another 15 percent could fall below the average market.

During the meeting this morning, City Councilman J.H. Graham III made the motion to accept the wage scale recommended by McGrath Human Resource Group for city employees to include salary and wage increases. The motion also called to establish a new position of public works director for the City of Crossville. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

City employees should see the wage increases on their checks starting January 16, 2020.

The city council will also discuss a cost of living increase for employees next year during their budget talks.