Orange County NC Website
—Funding Cost of $76,513 <br /> •Maintain the Current Classification System <br /> •Board funding Annual Reclassifications <br /> —Review 1/3 of Classification Each Year <br /> •Annually Review Social Justice Status <br /> •Maintain Benefit Levels Where Possible <br /> Overall Findings <br /> •Position Classification Study <br /> •Social Justice Study <br /> •Benefits Study <br /> •Staff Recommendations <br /> Laura Blackmon said that doing 1/3 of the reclassifications each year is to be part of <br /> the budget process. In the fall, the Board was given a figure of $4.1 million, and that is not <br /> doable this year. She pointed out that there will need to be some modifications and <br /> modernization in pay grades. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier asked about the last study done in 2004 and if Orange County <br /> was less competitive relative to surrounding governments at that time. She also asked if the <br /> turnover rate was higher or lower now. Michael McGinnis said that right now the turnover is <br /> reduced because of the economic downturn. Compared to surrounding entities, he thinks that <br /> Orange County's turnover rate is lower overall. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that the issue last time was salary compression. She said <br /> that she thought that the Board would discuss this at a work session and her concern about <br /> the recommendation is that it has budget implications. She suggested just receiving this as <br /> information and not making any budget commitments. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that this is a report and the staff is asking the Board to accept it <br /> and to accept and recognize the Archer recommendations. The only proposal is that every <br /> year the reclassifications will be part of the budget process. It is part of the budget book and <br /> will be discussed at a budget work session. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked Michael McGinnis if the Archer Company has done other <br /> studies with other governments and Michael McGinnis said that they provided an extensive list. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that he thought the last time the County did a pay and <br /> classification study, the consultant found that neighboring jurisdictions were paying law <br /> enforcement higher, so the County raised its law enforcement salaries, then the other <br /> jurisdictions did a study and raised their law enforcement salaries too. He said that this is like <br /> chasing tails. He said that this strikes him as an endless process that benefits consultants. <br /> Regarding the social justice analysis, Commissioner Jacobs said that it does not seem <br /> that the County is making a dent in hiring Hispanic or handicapped people. He would like to <br /> know what the outreach is regarding this. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that the way he read the recommendations as outlined, it <br /> implies a cost. He would not be in favor of accepting this without adopting it. He suggested <br /> adopting it in principle, as outlined, without adopting the numbers. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Chair Foushee to receive <br /> the Archer Company Pay and Benefits Report, receive the Archer recommendations as <br /> outlined in the FY 2009-10 Manager's Recommended Budget, and consider the review of one <br /> third of the County's classifications each year to be presented annually in the Manager's <br />