Beyond Spreadsheets: How Cities are Winning with People-First Labor Costing

By Steve Heister, Chief Product Officer, TrueComp

For local governments, employees are more than just a budget line item—they’re the foundation of the community. But managing a workforce in today’s economic climate is no small task. Rising labor costs, tight budgets, and a competitive job market make it feel like a constantly moving target, leaving even the most experienced leaders feeling overwhelmed.

Imagine this: You’re negotiating labor contracts and need a precise cost analysis of a proposed wage increase—not just for this year, but for the next five. Or perhaps you’re trying to plan for future staffing needs, but your existing tools only give you a limited, one-year snapshot. These are the real-life challenges that cities face every day, and they’re why data-driven labor cost forecasting is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

The Spreadsheet Struggle is Real

Cities have long relied on spreadsheets for workforce management, but these outdated tools lead to inefficiencies and costly errors. While familiar, spreadsheets weren’t built for the fast-moving nature of today’s labor market—they’re time-consuming, error-prone, and often leave leaders flying blind.

Think about the hours spent manually inputting data, reconciling discrepancies, and creating reports. Think about the frustration of trying to model different scenarios or get a clear picture of long-term trends. And think about the risk of making critical decisions based on outdated or incomplete information.

The Power of People-First Labor Costing

Now, imagine a different scenario. What if you had a solution that could give you real-time insights into your labor costs, empower you to model different scenarios with ease, and help you make informed decisions that benefit both your employees and your budget? That’s the power of people-first labor costing.

Across the country, cities are embracing innovative solutions that put people at the center of workforce planning. They’re using data to understand the true cost of their workforce, identify potential savings, and make strategic investments in their employees. And they’re seeing real results.

In Columbus, rising inflation and wage compression made it nearly impossible to model wage proposals effectively using their traditional spreadsheet-based approach. This led to delays, frustration, and strained relationships with union partners. By leveraging a modern, data-driven labor costing platform, Columbus streamlined negotiations with real-time, transparent data, which helped build trust and collaboration.

In Reno, outdated labor costing processes hindered effective communication and collaboration during negotiations. The city’s finance team struggled to align stakeholders and reach agreements efficiently. By adopting a data-driven solution, Reno was able to present complex information in a clear and accessible way, using real-time insights and infographics to drive consensus and achieve better outcomes for all parties.

The Future of Workforce Planning

These cities are just two examples of how a people-first approach to labor costing can transform the way local governments operate. By embracing modern tools and real-time data, cities can:

• Empower HR and finance leaders: Make faster, more informed decisions that support both your employees and your budget.
• Strengthen trust and collaboration: Build stronger relationships with employees and union partners through transparency and open communication.
• Drive long-term fiscal sustainability: Protect your budget and ensure the long-term health of your city’s finances.

The future of workforce planning is here, and it’s powered by data, collaboration, and a commitment to putting people first. Are you ready to join the movement?