About the C3 Compensation Blueprint

Your Partner for Smarter Public Sector Pay 

At the C3 Compensation Blueprint, we know public sector compensation can be a complex balancing act. Cities, counties, and government agencies need pay plans that attract top talent, stay fair, and fit tight budgets—all while keeping the community happy. That’s where our public sector compensation experts come in. With decades of experience and a friendly, hands-on approach, we make municipal pay planning simple, fair, and built to last.

We’re here to help you create a government pay strategy that supports your team and strengthens your community.

Who We Are

We’re a division of The Arnold Group (TAG), a family-owned company with roots in Wichita, Kansas, since 1979. Led by compensation experts, our team brings decades of workforce planning experience to help public sector leaders, HR teams, and financial decision-makers create and implement fair, market-aligned pay structures. Whether you’re a small town or a large county, we bring public sector pay planning know-how and a warm, collaborative spirit to every project.

Our goal? To make fair pay for local governments feel easy and approachable.

Why Choose the C3 Blueprint?

Public sector pay isn’t just about numbers—it’s about people. With our government workforce solutions, your pay plan will support your team, your budget, and your community’s goals. 

Our Compensation Blueprint for cities and counties helps you: 

Hire and Keep Great People

Competitive salary planning attracts talent, even when private sector jobs compete.

Build Trust

Our solutions create fair, transparent pay that boosts morale.

Stay on Budget

Public sector pay planning keeps salaries sustainable without breaking the bank.

Meet The Rules

Achieve strategic and fair pay while complying with legal and transparency requirements.

Phillip M. Hayes Bio Photo

Our Story: Built on Experience

The C3 Compensation Blueprint started with Phil Hayes, a workforce strategist with over 25 years helping government agencies create fair pay plans.

While working at TAG, Phil saw how hard it was for local governments to balance public sector compensation with budgets and fairness. So, he created the C3 CompBook: a simple, data-driven tool that’s now the heart of our city and county pay planning process.  

TAG, founded by George and Marion Arnold, has been a trusted name in HR and workforce solutions for over 45 years. As a third-generation, family-owned company, we bring that same care and commitment to every government pay project we build. Our compensation experts use salary benchmarking to craft pay plans that are as practical as they are people-focused.  

The C3 Difference

With the C3 Compensation Blueprint, you get:

  • Easier Hiring: Strategic and competitive salary planning fills roles faster.
  • Happier Teams: Fair pay for local government boosts trust and engagement.
  • Smarter Budgets: Government workforce solutions align pay with public funds.
  • Peace of Mind: Pay equity solutions keep you compliant and confident.

Our friendly team partners closely with you, using real data and a personal touch to create a municipal pay strategy that works for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

C3 is more than a compensation tool—it’s a strategic partner in solving workforce challenges like recruitment, retention, and compliance. It helps align pay with market trends, legal requirements, and your financial goals—boosting service delivery, reducing turnover, and supporting long-term budget health.

C3 blends labor market insight with fiscal responsibility. Using real-time data and predictive modeling, we help you attract top talent without overextending your budget—ensuring you’re competitive and cost-conscious.

Yes. We offer a free, personalized demo so you can see how C3 works and explore how it aligns with your organization’s goals.

See more FAQs

Real Words. Real Impact.

  • The Arnold Group’s C3 Team was great to work with. They provided great insight to our compensation study to ensure its successful implementation. They were considerate of our time, budget, and overall implementation plans. They were very punctual, responsive, and provided a valuable service in our project.
    Darin Myers 
    Ellis County, County Administrator & Fire Chief
  • We have had a good experience with the services provided by The Arnold Group’s C3 Team! Phil and Heather helped diagnose personnel issues such as wage compression, proposed solutions, and assisted with implementation. […] They obtained local market values for our positions […] to attract the interest of a greater pool of potential employees. We whole-heartedly recommend TAG C3.
    Mark Watkins
    Labette Community College, President
  • We have been privileged to work with the TAG C3 team on many different projects from placement services to a compensation study. The C3 team has been a great resource for questions and solutions to problems that each HR team faces. They have been able to help the transitions in practices feel smooth, and the assistance in navigating the challenges that come with change has been valuable.
    Helen Foster
    Director of Human Resources, Reno County
  • I can’t say enough great things about working with The Arnold Group’s C3 Team. They are responsive, professional, and absolute experts in the HR field. As a new HR Manager I have come to rely on their team for everything from job classifications to policy development. The Arnold Group’s C3 is always there and always ready to help.
    Matt Morgan
    Human Resources Manager, Riley County Police Department
  • We were extremely pleased with the process and support we received from Phil and Heather during our recent compensation study. They took the time to understand the unique nuances of our organization and tailored their recommendations specifically to us. […] The tools made it easy to administer the new plan and forecast future salary increases for budgeting purposes. Their personalized approach gave us confidence moving forward. We highly recommend their services!
    Chasity Page
    Director of Human Resources, City of Andover
  • Working with the [C3] team has been a lovely experience. You have been accommodating and responsive to my needs and have listened so well! […] Their commitment to me as a customer has been excellent. I have emailed countless questions and asked for small and large adjustments to our product and they never once ailed to meet expectations. I am beyond pleased with our partnership with The Arnold Group’s C3 Team and look forward to working with you in the future.
    Jo Lynne Herron
    Director of Human Resources, City of Emporia
  • I have participated in three market studies conducted by The Arnold Group’s C3 Team. In each instance C3 went above and beyond expectations to ensure they provided the best communication possible. […] Overall morale has significantly improved, and we continue working with TAG to ensure we stay competitive with the market so we never again need a large amount to invest for “catching up” to the market. Our employees are our largest investment, and TAG C3 helped us acknowledge and recognize that.
    Cyrstal Malchose
    Human Resources Director/Special Projects, Geary County

Let’s Build a Better Pay Plan Together

Your team deserves a pay strategy that’s fair, competitive, and sustainable. Let’s create one that works for your employees, your budget, and your community.

See How It Works

Request a free demo of our HR compensation tools.

Book A Free Demo

Talk to Us

Chat with our compensation experts about pay equity solutions that address your unique challenges.

Contact Us Today