After several meetings including much discussion and revision, the Pahrump Town Board approved the job descriptions and wage ranges for town administrative positions submitted to them in a classification and compensation review by Beller and Associates, Inc.

The initial wages suggested by the study were based on the statewide average wages for comparable positions.

However, the board asked that the ranges be revised not to include the average wages for comparable positions in Las Vegas and Boulder City because Pahrump is not in the fiscal position to compete with those wages.

Once those were removed, Town Manager Dave Richards submitted a wage range that was in between the highest and lowest ranges.

The board then approved wage increases of 15 percent or the average wage paid for that position (whichever was lower), and allowed for merit increases.

The wages approved at Tuesday's meeting, worked out by Vice Chairman John McDonald, establish the high and low range wages of the Beller and Associates, Inc. study assuming 100 percent of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) contributions were paid by the employer.

Under this range, of the 21 total positions, 11 employees are already paid within the range of the study.

The seven employees who are still not within the range could possibly receive a wage increase each year until they are within the average range.

For the purposes of approving the job descriptions, however, the board voted for the listed range to be paid for that position to be lowered to match what the person currently holding that position is getting.