Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits Study

Download a copy of the RFQ here .

The City of Elgin, Texas, Human Resources Department, is soliciting statements of qualifications from experienced and qualified consulting firms to conduct a Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits Study. The goal is to evaluate the City’s current compensation structure, benchmark it against comparable public sector employers, ensure internal equity, and recommend an implementation strategy with timeline to bring salaries and benefits to market-competitive levels using fiscally responsible and creative solutions.

The selected consultant will be expected to perform the following tasks:

• Identify and justify a set of appropriate comparable municipalities and public employers (regional and/or statewide).
• Conduct a thorough market survey of wages and benefits (including insurance, retirement,
• PTO, and allowances).
• Benchmark positions across departments, with particular attention to recruitment/retention challenges in Police, Public Works, and administrative roles.

• Analyze internal alignment and equity among positions and pay grades.
• Identify compression issues and make recommendations for adjustments.
• Provide a defensible methodology for classification and compensation alignment.

• Evaluate the competitiveness of the City's total compensation package.
• Provide analysis of indirect benefits including but not limited to health insurance, retirement contributions, certifications, uniform allowances, tuition assistance, and incentives.

• Recommend a phased implementation strategy over three fiscal years (FY 2026 – FY 2028).
• Include cost estimates by fiscal year with low, mid, and high-range options.
• Prioritize adjustments based on equity, critical recruitment needs, and market gaps.

• Propose innovative, non-salary-based options (e.g., step plans, pay-for-performance incentives, bonus structures, retention stipends, career ladders).
• Recommend solutions that consider long-term sustainability in a small but growing city environment.
• Address current and projected staffing needs in context of future growth and service demands.

• Final written report with findings, recommendations, and salary schedules.
• Presentation to City Council and/or leadership team (in-person or virtual).
• Electronic tools or dashboards to assist with ongoing pay analysis and budgeting.
• Support in drafting or revising HR policies and job descriptions, as needed.

Respondents must demonstrate:

• Proven experience conducting public sector compensation and classification studies.
• Familiarity with Texas municipal government operations and budgetary constraints.
• Demonstrated ability to implement creative and phased compensation solutions.
• At least three (3) references from similar studies within the past five years.

Please include the following in your submittal:

• Cover Letter expressing interest and qualifications.
• Company profile, including primary contact and lead consultant resume.
• Relevant project experience and three (3) references.
• Project approach and proposed timeline.
• Sample of final report or deliverables from previous compensation study.
• Fee schedule (in a separate sealed envelope or attachment marked “Cost Proposal”).

Proposals shall be considered only by those respondents who, in the judgment of the City are professionally competent, regularly engaged and established in business, financially responsible, able to show evidence of satisfactory past performance, and ready, willing and able to render prompt and satisfactory services.

Submissions will be evaluated based on:

• Relevant experience and qualifications (35%)
• Understanding of project scope and methodology (25%)
• Creative and feasible implementation strategies (20%)
• References and past performance (10%)
• Cost proposal (10%)

Please direct all questions and submit your proposal in person at City Hall, or by email, including attachments with subject line: Confidential: RFQ: 2026-HR-001

Pamela Sanders
Human Resources Director
City of Elgin, Texas
310 N. Main Street
Elgin, TX 78621

Email: For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address.
Phone: (512) 229-3224

This RFQ is not an offer, obligation, or agreement to award work to any Respondent. No contractual relationship is created by responding to this RFQ.

The City of Elgin reserves the right to:

• Reject any or all responses.
• Negotiate with any or all qualified respondents.
• Modify the scope or timeline.
• Award in the best interest of the City.

Pamela Sanders
Human Resources Director
City of Elgin, Texas
310 N. Main Street
Elgin, TX 78621

Email: pamela.sanders@elgintexas.gov
Phone: (512) 229-3224

Proven experience conducting public sector compensation and classification studies.
Familiarity with Texas municipal government operations and budgetary constraints.
Demonstrated ability to implement creative and phased compensation solutions.
At least three (3) references from similar studies within the past five years.