HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_1302 (2)had indicated the costs could be paid out of lapsed salary funds due to a vacant
environmental technician position.
Chairman Johnson said it appeared the problem was with the entry-level positions
and recruitment. He said there seemed to be stability with senior positions. Johnson
asked if the raises could be restricted to only the lower -level staff.
Hams said the health positions were subject to the State Personnel Act, and as
such, if one grade changed, they all had to change.
Health Director Rabe mentioned the advantages of obtaining a "substantially
equivalent system." He said this designation would eliminate the health personnel from
being under the State system.
Harris said the county had been working towards the "substantially equivalent
system" for some time.
Mashburn said the system being discussed would require overall policy changes,
and these would affect all of the county employees -- not just the health staff.
Johnson said many citizens had called and complained about the month long
environmental permit backlog.
Rabe said that if the reclassifications were approved, they wouldn't necessarily
eliminate the backlog. He said they would help, but there weren't that many certified
people in the county who could do the work.
Commissioner Norman asked what was needed for certification.
Rabe said a degree, six months training in Raleigh, the passage of written tests,
and on-the-job training. He continued by saying the staff felt the backlog could be
decreased to two weeks; however, in the spring, when construction increased, the delays
would probably start again. Rabe said the FY 04-05 budget request would ask for more
environmental staff.
Commissioner Madison asked if signing bonuses for these types of positions were
legal in North Carolina.
Harris said some areas were using bonuses as a recruitment tool, especially for
nurses.
Madison asked if signing bonuses could be used without changing pay grades.
Mashburn said the county's policy already provided for bonuses when an
employee reached his/her top pay scale. He said that if they were awarded merit
increases, and they were near, or at their top pay, the employees could elect for the
increases to be paid out as a one-time bonus -- it wouldn't increase their annual salaries.
Rabe said he was equally concerned for the existing staff and their salaries.
Hams said another option would be to have a scale for the number of years an
employee worked in a position. She volunteered to research the matter and to share
information on any other options that might be discovered.
OTIO by Commissioner Madison to postpone the environmental health
specialist pay study decision until the February 3 meeting.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.