The Washington City Council approved an agreement with Graves Consulting for a compensation and classification study. 

The study will consist of Graves Consulting reviewing and analyzing everything related to the current employee structure, including the existing wage scales and classification system for the city’s staff, current pay philosophy, and definition of market, all job descriptions, organization structure, and census data for all incumbents, as well as any prior compensation studies or job matching that may be provided. 

Graves Consulting was specifically designed to bring affordable Human Resources consulting services, with a focus on best practices and employee engagement, to clients in the municipal, public sector, and private sector. They focus primarily on compensation, strategic HR planning, organizational culture, employee engagement, and leadership development. 

The total cost of the compensation and classification study is $18,165. The fiscal year 2026 budget included $16,000 for this study, funds will be moved from another item in the administration budget to cover the difference. The study is expected to take three to four months, and be complete before setting the next budget for the city.