City Workforce Planning

If your city has a high number of employees nearing retirement, you’re not alone. Data from the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) shows:

  • Almost 37 percent of city employees are over age 50 (excluding police and firefighters);
  • Nearly half of Minnesota's cities have a workforce where at least 25 percent of their employees are over age 50;
  • In 150 cities, at least half of the employees are over age 50; and
  • In some cities, the number of employees nearing retirement is small but still represents a key part of the city's workforce.

The League strongly encourages city officials to analyze your city government workforce needs for the years ahead and to take actions that make your city an attractive employer. Competition will be intense for the workers who can fill workforce gaps left by retiring baby boomers—other local governments, state government, businesses, and nonprofits all face similar challenges.

Those who choose city government service have a unique opportunity to make an immediate, tangible, meaningful difference in the lives of Minnesotans on a daily basis. They provide essential services we all rely upon, and build the communities that make our state great. Sharing this message is a key component of attracting new people to city government and is a growing area of focus for the League.

Workforce Planning Toolkit
The League's Workforce Planning Toolkit contains information on five major steps each city should begin working on now in order to be prepared in the next few years for the upcoming labor shortage: 1) problem identification; 2) reinvention/Retooling; 3) employee recruitment efforts; 4) employee retention strategies; and 5) knowledge transfer.

View the entire Workforce Planning Toolkit (pdf)

Rehiring City Retirees
As cities struggle with large numbers of baby boomer retirements, many are considering rehiring recent retirees on a reduced work schedule. This can be a great option, but there are legal issues to consider to keep your city out of trouble.
View Rehiring City Retirees (pdf)