HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 2/7/2013Minutes of the
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting
1:00 PM, February 7, 2013
County Board Room, Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Shawn Miller, Neil Schultz, William Bussey, John Bennett
Others Present: County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison, Dennis Pocernich, Kris Kavajecz-
Confidential Secretary, Tom Toepfer, Dee Kittleson, Rob Schierman, David Renz, Keith Bailey,
Ryan Olson, Martin Skaj, David Kontny, Paul Johanik, John Lazorik, Josh Mieritz, James
Woods, Patricia Olson, Cathy Moore, Pat Bruno, Marco Bichanich, Richard Weidinger, Kay
Cederberg
Called to order at 1:00pm by Chairman Rondeau
Minutes: Motion Bussey, Miller to approve minutes of the January 15, 2013 Personnel
Committee Meeting. Motion Carried.
Mileage Reimbursement Rates: Current IRS Rate is .565. County has set the rate annually for
County Board members. The rate is currently at .51.
Motion Bussey, Schultz to keep the mileage reimbursement rate at .51 per mile for County Board
members. Motion Carried.
Wage Study: Abeles-Allison reported that the completed report draft was received earlier
today. Printed copies were provided to all County Board members. The study was reviewed
including:
Wipfli completed a market study of 40 positions (30 identified by Bayfield County). Existing job
descriptions were used to conduct an Internal Analysis of Bayfield County positions. Some job
descriptions are in need of updating. Explanation was provided on where the comparable wage
data was gained from (sources). Job descriptions, not titles, were used as the basis for
comparable positions.
Explanation was provided on how the Wipfli proposed salary structure is formatted. There is a
40% wage spread at each wage range that is proposed, with some overlap at the high and low
ends of the ranges. The study showed that there were no employees that fell below the 80% of
market wage. There were 14 individuals that are currently being paid above the maximum
(120%) of the median wage. According to the study, on average, the county is paying at 101%
of the median wage if all positions are considered.
The wage study also includes recommendations for building a philosophy and ongoing
compensation plan for the county. Several forms and sample policies are included in the report
for consideration.
Comparable benefits data was reviewed. Per the study: County medical benefits for non-
highway employees appear to be better than the average medical coverage. Dental coverage is
provided by most employers, whereas Bayfield County does not offer dental insurance. The
vacation plan at Bayfield County is more generous than the market average. Sick leave is
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slightly lower than the market average. Personal Days within the market average about 3.
Average holidays offered are 8-9 per year, whereas Bayfield County is at 11. If you add the
Market Personal Days and holidays together they are equal to the number of holidays offered at
Bayfield County. Bayfield County bereavement days are comparable to the market.
It was stated that further information/data is needed regarding the benefit comparables that were
used. Average allowable accrual of sick days over a designated period of time is requested to be
provided as well as whether there is a payout for unused sick leave accrued upon retirement.
Wipfli recommends additional positions be analyzed over the next couple of years.
Internal Equity Analysis results were reviewed. A list of the positions that were used as
benchmarks for the External Market Analysis was reviewed. Abeles-Allison reviewed specific
positions that were included in the wage study and showed how the market data was used to
determine the median wage and wage ranges (40% spread).
Salary Range Proposal was reviewed. The data from the external analysis was used by Wipfli to
establish a schedule of wage ranges. 24 ranges are proposed. The salary range document reflects
the 40 positions that the external analysis was done on and then using those positions as a
starting point, the remaining positions were added to the salary ranges based on the internal
equity analysis.
Sample compensation philosophy is included in the report. Wipfli recommends that the County
develop a compensation philosophy. The report supports moving toward a pay for performance
type system.
Wipfli has provided a tool that may be used to determine wages based on a merit system and the
total impact on the budget. It takes into consideration the performance rating of the employee.
The tool is referred to as a Performance Matrix Calculation Model.
Base Administrative Guide was provided in the study document. Abeles-Allison reviewed the
Internal Equity Analysis Point Factor Guide and explained how it was used to evaluate each job
description.
Discussion took place regarding timeline for making a determination on whether a new wage
plan will be implemented. Collective bargaining requirements will also need to be considered
during this process.
Motion Miller, Schultz to enter closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes §19.82(1),
§19.85(1)(c, e) for the purpose of discussion and possible action regarding approval of
Executive Session Minutes of the January 15, 2013 Personnel Committee meeting; discussion
and possible action regarding the wage study; discussion and possible action regarding
compensation of county employees over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or
exercises responsibility; an discussion and possible action regarding strategy with regard to
collective bargaining. Clarification of the motion was requested by Bussey on what items will be
discussed in closed session. Miller requested that Highway Uniforms, Highway Vacation and
Holidays be discussed in closed session prior to open session. Roll Call: Rondeau-yes, Miller-
Yes, Schultz-Yes, Bussey-No, Bennett-No. Motion carried. Closed session began at 2:20 after a
5-minute break. All persons except County Board members, Abeles-Allison and Kavajecz exited
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the meeting at this time.
Motion Bussey, Miller to return to open session. Motion Carried. Returned to open session at
3:23pm.
Motion Miller, Schultz to recommend to the County Board that a 2% wage increase be
implemented for non-represented employees to be effective with the payroll following approval.
Motion Carried.
Motion Schultz, Miller to deny the Highway Department uniform allowance request as presented
and that the request be sent back to the Highway Committee for modification and to discuss if
the department wants uniforms. Motion carried.
Motion Miller, Bussey to approve the request from the Highway Department for 10 days of
vacation to be granted to 3 new employees as identified in the request. Motion Carried.
Employees that move from County positions to Elected positions: In the past, the unwritten
practice has been that when an employee becomes an elected official, a letter is put in their file
identifying benefits that will be paid out upon retirement when eligible under WRS guidelines.
Review of a letter from Highway staff and discussion regarding the concerns noted in that letter.
A draft response letter was reviewed. Consensus of the committee is to approve the response
letter.
No notable legal updates.
All other items will be added to the next Personnel Committee Agenda.
Meeting adjourned at 3:30pm