HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-06 HR compensation consideration
TO: Lewis County Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Rachel Lester, Interim HR Operations Manager
DATE: June 26, 2026
RE: Request for Salary Increase
I respectfully request approval to increase the salary of Chloe Nugent, HR Generalist,
from Range 122, Step 6 to Range 122, Step 10. Chloe is a highly valued member of the
Human Resources team with more than six years of human resources experience,
including prior local government HR experience that has been a significant asset to
Lewis County. At the time of her hire, Chloe accepted employment at a lower step than
she requested because placing her at the requested step would have created salary
compression with my previous position. Since joining the County, Chloe has
consistently demonstrated exceptional performance and has assumed substantial
responsibility for administering protected leave, recruitment, new employee onboarding,
employee benefits, and numerous other critical HR and personnel functions that support
County operations.
Chloe has received a competing employment offer and has requested that the County
match the compensation she would receive by accepting that position. The proposed
adjustment to Range 122, Step 10 would effectively offset the increased salary and
reduced benefits associated with leaving Lewis County, providing a reasonable
opportunity to retain an experienced and knowledgeable employee whose institutional
expertise would be difficult and costly to replace. The budgetary impact of this request is
estimated at $4571 which would be an increase over budget for 2026 and $11,602
which would be an increase over budget estimates for 2027. These amounts include
benefits. I respectfully request the Board's approval of this salary adjustment to
recognize Chloe's contributions, promote retention, and ensure continuity of critical
Human Resources services.