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Hernando Today

Proposal Calls For 2% County Raises

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Published: August 29, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Government employees who make $65,000 or more annually will be asked to forego any salary raises this year.

Employees under that threshold are being recommended for a 2 percent raise, according to a proposal that County Administrator David Hamilton will tentatively bring before the board Sept. 16.

In addition, Hamilton's new pay grid system will recommend department managers meet with the new human resources director (still to be named) to develop a new performance program where future employee raises are based on merit.

It would replace the current across-the-board pay raise system, he said.

Hamilton said there are 41 positions under the board of county commissioners who make $65,000 or more. If they forego their raises, it would save the county some $40,000, he said.

Excluding county and Spring Hill firefighters, who are on union contracts, there are 669 government employees.

"We want to break the current model and change the way we adjust our pay and also motivate our staff," Hamilton said.

Hamilton said he would talk to the constitutional officers and ask them to adopt a similar pay plan for their staff.

However, the county has little control over those officers because their salaries are determined by the state.

And even though County Attorney Garth Coller is a contract employee, "to the best of our ability, we are suggesting (that) his salary level be held (the same)," Hamilton said.

Hamilton said last week that another policy that will likely get close scrutiny is one that allows employees and department managers to work four-day work weeks, as long as they total 40 hours per week.

Hamilton said he will continue to tweak the pay grid plan in time for the Sept. 16 meeting.

"Those at the top of the organization declining an automatic increase shows fiscal restraint," Hamilton said. "Those at lower levels of pay can at least have a modest adjustment."

County Commissioner David Russell, who has been working closely with Hamilton in developing the new pay grid system, said the $65,000 threshold insures that employees are well-compensated.

He said it also sends a message to employees "who might decide they need a union to protect their interests, (that) the county bosses are looking out for their interests."

Russell said a performance-based raise is an equitable system.

"That way, people who perform well are rewarded and those that don't are not rewarded," he said.

County Commissioner Rose Rocco said any raise this year should be minimal.

"I think people should be very happy that they have a job with benefits," she said. "Most people are losing their jobs or getting laid off."

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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