TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Employee Buyout Plan Prepared

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: February 12, 2009

Updated: 02/12/2009 06:50 pm

BROOKSVILLE - Human Resources Director Cheryl Marsden admitted offering an early leave incentive plan to employees could cost the county some valued workers.

But she has little choice.

County Administrator David Hamilton directed Marsden to come up with a plan to save money during these cash-strapped times.

And on Wednesday, Marsden presented a proposed buyout that - by reducing the cost of upper management - would save Hernando County hundreds of thousands.

Marsden will refine the plan and formally present a policy to the board at its Feb. 24 meeting.

Marsden said she estimates about 10 percent of the eligible participants will take advantage of early retirement, resulting in an annual savings of $500,000 in the 2009-10 budget.

County commissioners liked what they saw at yesterday's land use hearing.

The biggest debate centered on the salary threshold. The plan would be offered to employees making $50,000 or more and have completed at least six years of service by May 15, 2009.

That amounts to about 116 employees, mostly supervisors and managers.

Offering the buyouts to the high-salaried workers allows the county to keep lower-paid employees who are more on the front lines of customer service.

And the higher the salary, the greater the savings if those positions are eliminated, commissioners decided.

Right now, the buyouts are strictly voluntary. However, if there are not enough takers, there's the chance early leave plans may be offered to others in the organization.

"Given that we've never done this before, we wanted to get something that is manageable," Hamilton said.

Hamilton stressed it is only the beginning of creating a streamlined workforce.

"We're staging our downsizing and this is the first of many expected policies," he said.

Marsden said the money for the buyouts would come from the county's worker compensation fund.

But County Commission Chairman David Russell has said the county might have to tap its general fund reserve.

To view the proposed early leave incentive plan online, visit: http://hernandocountyfl.iqm2.com/citizens/Detail_L...

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

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT