HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 6/2/2016Minutes of the
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting
4:00 PM, June 2, 2016
County Board Room, Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Dennis Pocernich, William Bussey, Rachel Coughtry
Members Excused: Harold Maki
Others Present: County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison, Elizabeth Skulan, Kathy Wolfram,
Nikki Revak, Sarah Traaholt.
Public Comment:
Kathy Wolfram commented on the wage study appeals. She noted that the experience level was
originally evaluated inaccurately and that her job description was provided in a more general as
opposed to detail form. The result was a lower classification. Wolfram thought this was an
unfair way to recognize employees. Wolfram read an earlier sent letter.
Sarah Traaholt noted that the Clerk’s in Human Services were inaccurately ranked at a lower
level than other departments. She is not unhappy with the wage but feels undervalued and
thought that the appeal should have gone through.
Nikki Revak noted that appeals were an important part of the overall wage study process
allowing for corrections in initial grading. Accurate ranking will make it easier for future
promotions. Revak asked for reconsideration of the initial appeal.
Elizabeth Skulan complimented the board and committee on pursuing the new wages study. She
felt it better reflects market wages. Three appeals were submitted by the Human Services
Department, two were recommended on, the Clerk 1 and Bookkeeper positions. Skulan noted
that initial education and experience requirements were not correctly assessed but corrected in
the appeals together with more detail. All three appeals in Human Services were awarded
additional points, two were recommended for a higher level.
Minutes:
Pocernich made the motion to approve the minutes of the May 5, 2016 minutes, seconded by
Cougherty. Motion carried.
Item 4, Department Head Presentation:
Jason Bodine, Bayfield County Forest Administrator shared input regarding personnel policies
and procedures. Bodine mentioned the two wage study appeals that were proposed but not
approved. He said this impacted morale of the department. He stated that overall attitude and
work ethic was positive with foresters focused on work. He reviewed the overall responsibilities
of the department (172,000 acres of forest, 430 miles of snowmobile and 130 miles of ATV
trails. With nine staff the department has grown with relatively little turnover and a high
longevity rate.
Item 5: Good Neighbor Authority (GNA)
Abeles-Allison and Bodine summarized the GNA program. The national forest is contracting
with private, state and county forces (through the DNR) to assist in meeting harvest goals. The
full board and forestry committee have approved this conceptually and allowed this to proceed.
Final cost figures for county wages and benefits together with overhead will be finalized shortly.
The unique issue is how to address salaried wage positions to do supplemental work for the
DNR/National Forest Service.
Abeles-Allison noted that consultations with labor counsel revealed that supplemental pay to a
salaried employee may be paid in this situation provided that they remain responsible for the
business operations of the department while performing some concurrent duties.
Bussey made the motion to authorize a supplement hourly payment for salaried forestry staff to
work on the GNA project contractor for the DNR/Forest Service on a reimbursement basis
alongside other department employees, seconded by Coughtry. Motion carried.
Item 6: Personnel Section One review:
The Committee reviewed the Introduction and Section 1 of the personnel manual. The
committee discussed employee categories. A note was made for partially exempt employees.
Abeles-Allison will check with the sheriff regarding the status of corrections officers as it relates
to the schedule.
Item 7: Reports
• End of May payroll reports showed overall personnel expenses up $154,000 over the first
five months of 2015 a 2.9% increase from the previous year.
• End of April 2016 Health Insurance loss ratio for the first four months of the year is
125%. This means costs have exceeded premiums paid by 25%.
• 19 positions have been advertised / filled in the 2016 year. End of year 2015 was 37.
Bussey made a recommendation that the topic of wage study appeals be added to the next county
personnel agenda. The committee chair supported this.
Item 8: Closed Session
Motion by Bussey to enter in and out of closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes
§19.85(1)(c) for the purpose of Approval of closed session minutes of May 3, 2016, seconded by
Coughtry. Motion carried. 4:58pm.
Coughtry made the motion to come out of closed session, second by Pocernich. Motion carried.
4:59pm
Meeting Adjourned, 5pm.
Minutes submitted by Mark Abeles-Allison