HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 7/8/2014Minutes of the
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting
4:00 PM, July 8, 2014
Emergency Operations Center, Bayfield County Annex Building, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, John Bennett, Dennis Pocernich, Harold Maki, William
Bussey
Members Excused: None
Others Present: County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison, Kristine Kavajecz-Assistant, Tom
Toepfer, Susan Butterfield, Heidi Danielson, Kevin Susienka, Craig Parks, Dee Kittleson, Cathy
Miller, Coni Wickingson,
Meeting called to order at 4:02pm by Chairman Rondeau.
Public Comment:
Heidi Danielson reviewed a summary provided by dispatchers and a calculation of what it would
cost annually to restore the vacation and sick leave accumulations based on the 2080 work
schedule. Jail boarding for June alone brought in $18,669 in revenue, far exceeding any cost of
the additional vacation/sick leave allocation. Increase of work when boarding other county/state
inmates. Worst hours in the county, forced overtime, none of the employees actually work 1950
hours per year.
Kevin Susienka agreed with Danielson’s comments. Work shift is 8 hours, vacation day should
also be 8 hours.
Cathy Miller agreed with Danielson’s comments. Comment that CCOs come in a few minutes
early each shift and stay a few minutes late each shift to provide data to the oncoming staff, not
claimed as work time.
Craig Parks comment that AFSCME union has discussed this and there is no issue from the
AFSCME membership with Jailers and CCOs receiving vacation and sick leave based on the 8
hour work day (2080 hour work year schedule).
Motion Bussey, Bennett to approve minutes of the June 5, 2014 Personnel Committee meeting.
Motion Carried.
Highway Office Manager Reclassification: Abeles-Allison explained that he and the Highway
Commissioner have met to review the job description and agree on a recommendation. The
recommendation is to create a new position of Highway Accountant/Office Manager with an increase
of 1 wage level. Because the existing employee is already above the wage for the new wage level, she
will receive and increase equal to 2%, plus any cost of living wage that may be approved in 2015.
Motion Maki, Bennett to create the new position of Highway Accountant/Office Manager and
one wage level increase as presented resulting in a 2% wage increase effective January 1, 2015.
Discussion on qualifications identified in the job description. Motion Carried.
Part-time employee eligibility standard for health insurance: Review of a draft policy
outlining eligibility beginning in 2015, grandfathering those part-time employees currently
enrolled in the health insurance plan. The policy requires employees to work an average of 30
hours per week to be eligible for insurance, per the ACA guidelines.
Motion Bussey, Pocernich to approve the policy establishing health insurance eligibility for part
time employees effective January 1, 2015 as presented. Motion Carried.
Setting Retiree Health standards for eligibility for county group health insurance
continuation: Review of a draft policy with regard to retiree health insurance eligibility.
Eligibility requirements include: employee must have been employed by the county for 10 years
and be eligible for retirement under the WRS. Question that has not been answered is whether
the county should continue to offer Medicare supplemental insurance at age 65.
Motion Pocernich, Bennett to approve proposed policy 3.13.5 effective January 1, 2015 as
proposed and to grandfather existing retirees on the policy. Motion Carried.
Sick and Vacation Accruals, 7.5 vs. 8 hour: Abeles-Allison stated that in no way is the county
attempting to diminish the importance or serious nature of the work done by Jail and Dispatch
staff. The intent is to clarify the existing policy. When the policy was created it was intended to
provide consistency for all employees based on the annual number of hours scheduled to work,
regardless of the department worked in or the work schedule. Abeles-Allison reviewed the
additional cost for vacation and sick leave if allocations are based on 2080 hour work schedule.
If all employees were awarded vacation based on this schedule, the cost would be approximately
$39,000 per year.
Motion Bussey, Maki to move Jailers and Dispatchers to a vacation and sick leave accrual based
on the 2080 hour per year schedule and continue to work the 1950 hour work year, retroactive to
January 1, 2014. Motion Carried.
24-48 month Wage Progression Schedule: At the request of the committee, Abeles-Allison
provided information on a 2-year vs 4-year wage progression schedule. Feedback from the wage
consultant is that the county needs to be flexible within the progression schedule based upon
experience and performance of employees. Suggest to put this item back on the agenda for
December of this year to review how the new wage schedule is working or if modifications
should be considered.
Health Insurance Updates for 2015: Review of utilization through May, 2014. Average of
97%, which is much higher than this same time last year. Estimating a 5% premium increase in
2015. Ideas for plan modifications if utilization (premiums) comes in higher than anticipated:
1) Increase out of pocket max, currently $500, $800, $1100. Increase by $200 each level.
2) Possible adjustments to the HRA contribution.
3) Adjustment in percentage share paid if spouse joins the wellness program.
4) Adjustment to prescription co-pays.
Social Worker 1 wage schedule: Review of recommendation of the County Administrator and
Human Services Director. Increase position from level 12 to level 11 with midpoint of 22.79.
Advertise at start to mid-range. 48-month wage schedule, but new employee could be started
higher on the wage range, resulting in a shorter amount of time to reach the mid-point wage.
Motion Bussey, Maki to increase Social Worker I from Level 12 to the Level 11 range. Motion
Carried.
Maki request that general discussion about Human Services Department be placed on a future
agenda. Committee consensus that discussion at this committee must be related to Personnel
issues.
Child Support Financial Specialist job description: Abeles-Allison presented draft job
description in anticipation of a retirement by the end of the year.
Motion Bussey, Pocernich to approve the revised job description and move the position to level
14 on the wage schedule based on the modifications. Motion Carried.
All non-committee attendees, with the exception of Kittleson, Abeles-Allison and Kavajecz
exited the meeting prior to this point.
Motion Bennett, Maki to enter in and out of closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes
§19.85(1)(c, e) for Discussion and Possible Action Regarding: Approval of closed session
minutes of June 5, 2014, Reclassification of two employees in Human Services, Employee
specific performance issues, and to Discuss negotiation strategy for 2015 bargaining
agreements. Motion Carried. Entered closed session at 5:12 pm. Kittleson, Abeles-Allison and
Kavajecz were allowed to remain in the closed session.
Motion Bennett, Maki to return to open session. Motion Carried. Returned to open session at
5:36 pm .
Meeting adjourned at 5:36pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz, Assistant to the County Administrator.