As the first in a series, this reexamination of a 1954 personnel study focuses on trends in job evaluation procedures since the early 1950's, specifically dealing with municipalities. The six topical units discussed in this monograph are: (1) a history of job evaluation in municipalities, (2) methods used in securing the cooperation of supervisors and employees, (3) assignment of responsibility for the job evaluation installation, (4) procedures in installing the programs, (5) measures taken to insure acceptance of the programs, and (6) procedures followed in maintaining and controlling the plans, including the use of electronic processing of wage and salary records and reports. A 6-page questionnaire accompanied by a cover letter was sent to the personnel directors of 76 municipalities, of whom 51 had formal job evaluation plans, an increase of 82 percent since the 1954 survey. Personnel administration by directors and their staffs has become more prevalent, although basic procedures remain essentially the same as in 1954. Of the respondents, 86 percent find their plans satisfactory. A wide range of tables and graphs present the data. (AG)