Sharing staffing plans and employee salaries is particularly important as relates to transparency, accountability, and trust within the community. The reasons why are listed below but first, four important documents for reference:
Town Employment/Staffing Presentation - 08/21/2024
New Hampshire State Employee Salaries by Town – 2023
Contact the Wolfeboro Town Manager or Assistant Town Manager to Obtain a List of Employee Salaries for 2023 that Includes the Employee Name, Gross Salary, and Department
Employment Opportunities and Open Positions
Seasonal Positions and Volunteer Opportunities - Parks and Recreation
Transparency in staffing plans and salaries encourages responsible governance, promotes equity, and strengthens the town’s relationship with its residents and employees:
1. Transparency and Public Trust
Public Funds - Towns are funded by taxpayer dollars, so sharing staffing plans and employee salaries ensures that the public can see how our money is being used. This transparency builds trust between town government and its residents
Open Government - Transparency in staffing and salary structures demonstrates that the town operates openly
2. Accountability and Fairness
Resource Allocation - Sharing staffing plans allows residents and local officials to understand how resources (personnel and salaries) are allocated across departments. This helps ensure departments are staffed adequately for the services they provide
Employee Compensation - Publishing salaries help prevent discrepancies in pay between employees doing similar work. It also supports efforts toward equitable pay practices, ensuring that employees are compensated fairly based on job roles and responsibilities
3. Community Engagement
Feedback and Involvement - When staffing plans are shared, the public can engage, provide feedback, and advocate for changes if they feel certain departments are under- or over-staffed. It also helps residents understand where there may be gaps in services
Service Delivery Expectations - By sharing how departments are staffed, the town sets clear expectations for what services will be provided, giving the community a sense of the level of service they can expect based on available personnel
4. Budget Justification
Understanding Costs - Employee salaries often make up a significant portion of a town’s budget. Providing this information allows residents and Board/Commission members to see exactly where the money goes, helping justify budget decisions
Comparisons with Similar Towns - Transparent staffing plans and salary information allow for comparisons with other municipalities and can highlight whether the local government is operating efficiently and competitively
5. Employee Morale and Retention
Open Communication - When staffing plans and salaries are publicly known, it can create a sense of fairness and equity among town employees, improving morale. Employees know they are being treated fairly in comparison to their peers
Retention and Recruitment - Sharing salaries also helps in attracting new talent by providing clarity on compensation, while also ensuring that existing staff feel valued and adequately compensated for their work.
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