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John Link said that his suggestion was that we look on the capital side and determine the priority items that need to be addressed between now and the end of the fiscal year. Commissioner Halkiotis asked Jahn Link if we were going to ask, "What kind of impact did it really have on you even though we cut back some of this recurring capital money?" He wants to know if it presented any undue hardships. He wants to see the overall budget priority list far the entire County and not just the schools. Chair Jacobs said that, to the schools' credit, they did their budgets to meet the County's need and restrained themselves from complaining because they knew the County could not do anything about it. John Link said that by April 21St they will come back with a total list of what was cut from the budget as it relates to capital, the hardships that were faced as a result of the cuts, and what needs to be addressed by the end of the fiscal year. Commissioner Gordon said that she remembers in the discussions about the cuts, that the commissioners had stated some priorities when things were cut from the budget. There was more than one meeting where it was discussed. She would like to have summaries of those discussions when the commissioners discuss the budget. Commissioner Halkiotis would like an understanding of haw the schools are spending their money and also he would like more detailed accounting of the non-departmental funding. Chair Brown said that the non-departmental funding report was in a packet. Commissioner Halkiotis and Commissioner Gordon did not receive this. Donna Dean will make sure they get this report. 2. Employee Pay and Benefits Personnel Director Elaine Holmes made this presentation, which is incorporated by reference. John Link said that Elaine Homes and her staff have worked many hours day and night to come up with this information and he expressed appreciation for their work. Elaine Holmes said that the purpose of the work session tonight was for the County Commissioners to provide direction on employee pay and benefits. The Board's original planned directions for the current two-year cycle included the cost of living increase, in-range salary increase, continue the meritorious service awards, and carry out the classification and pay study. This was the original direction two years ago. The fiscal year 2002-2003 brought some fiscal challenges and the Board postponed the pay plan. The budget did not include funding far the four items as planned. The staff is recommending that the Board reconstitute its approach of looking at pay and benefits on a two-year cycle with 2002-2003 as the first year and 2003-2004 as the second year with focus on the classification and pay study implementation in the two-year period. She gave some history of the classification and pay study and the reasons behind it. The study was placed on hold in March 2002. The consultant recommends implementation of a new salary schedule providing for stronger entry rates and more competitive salary ranges and job classification for each position and salary grade assignment for each job classification in the new salary schedule based on current review. The next steps include reviews with department head and employees, completion of final report and presentation to the Board along with related analyses, review as the Board desires, Board adoption of new Classification and Pay Plan and Salary Schedule, and implementation of approved salary administration. The recommendation is to implement phase 1 of the study retroactive April 14t". Phase 1 includes implementation of new job classifications and salary schedule; move employees below new minimum up to new minimum; place employees in new range but off step, on step; and grant a one step {2.5%} service based increase. Elaine Holmes said that she has heard mare employee concern about pay and completion of this study than any other issue in her tenure with the County. She said that employees do understand and have been cooperative and supportive in a difficult year.