Update: Contractor Chosen for Benefit Study

Update - 11 p.m. - The Hyattsville City Council approved the contract by unanimous vote during this evening's council meeting. 

According to Chris Vermillion, human resources director for the city, the study should be complete within three months. 

Original article below:

A comprehensive review of pay and benefits for city employees could take a step forward if the Hyattsville City Council approves a $45,000 contract with Florida-based government consulting firm Evergreen Solutions.

Evergreen Solutions was one of three companies to bid for the project. Cost savings–the company's bid came in more than $30,000 less than the competition–were cited as one of the reasons to hire the company, according to a recommendation written by Acting City Administrator Elaine Stookey. 

The study will compare Hyattsville's wages and benefits with those offered by other, not-yet-determined, comparable benchmark municipalities across the state.

The benefits study process is being closely followed by members of the Hyattsville Fraternal Order of Police, which has praised city officials for undertaking the survey, but harbor fears that the study could be ignored if it finds that city employees are comparably underpaid. 

According to a timeline laid out by Hyattsville's Human Resources Director Chris Vermillion in September, the survey could be done by early 2013.

The city council will take up the benefits study contract at its meeting tonight at 8 p.m. in the Hyattsville Municipal Building on Gallatin Street.