2023-08-04 Salary Commission Minutes

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Salary Commission August 4, 2023 But they did follow a procedure and what they did—they broke up into little groups but, ultimately, what they agreed on was a blanket percentage increase for everybody. Okay. I mean, that is what they ended up doing and even though they went through all kinds of work and then they just said, "Okay, everybody gets `x' percent." All right. So, I do think that's a good starting point. And then, basically, if we all could all take—look at each individual position and then factor in on that. I do think that as a baseline, if you're going to do a spreadsheet, the guy said 18 percent is what all the bargaining unit guys got. Take the current salaries, plug in 18 percent, and then we take a look at that. "Okay, here's where—here's what it would be if they got the union increases"—and then, we all individually take a look and say, "Oh, okay, this County should" What do we think that position's worth. And goes to your point, "Oh, okay, I think the planning director" whatever. MR. RIORDAN: This is Commissioner Riordan. I agree with that. I think that's a great suggestion. And, but—and I also want to say that no one in the County gets a merit increase. That is not what happens. And the unions, it's strictly based on amount of time that you're there. If you're there five years, you get a step increase only in the HGEA. The UPW workers do not get step increases. You stay as a park caretaker—that's what you get—and the guy that starts tomorrow gets that same amount. And nobody gets a merit increase throughout the whole County. It is wrong but it's the way it is, and it's—and once somebody passes their initial probation, they have union protection and it becomes really hard to even have them leave the County. But I just wanted to make that clear that there is no such thing as a merit increase in the County. And, but—and I'll put forward the suggestion that we start with 18 percent. And if you're willing to make a spreadsheet based on that and that's what everyone else agrees to, that would be something that we can start with, when we come back and go, "Okay, how does this compare to what the rest of the people in the State get"—and the police chiefs and things like that. MS. GREENBAUM: Perfect. So, I will create spreadsheet that shows the 18 percent increase. And then— ACTING CHR FARAHL Just hold on a second. You also need to consider the political ramifications of all of that, too. So MS. GREENBAUM: Oh, absolutely. ACTING CHR FARAHL Yeah. MS. GREENBAUM: We're not talking about doing the increase ACTING CHR FARAHL Right. Page 21