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2. Employee Classification and Pay Study Implementation John Link thanked Steve Condrey, who has worked as a consultant on the classification and pay study. He also thanked Personnel Director Elaine Holmes and her staff. Steve Condrey said that they worked on the project for 18 months and this will help the County become more competitive in the labor market. Personnel Director Elaine Holmes gave the PowerPoint presentation. She went through the history of the implementation of the study. The Board agreed to implement Phase I at its February 24th work session. Elements that were discussed to be included in Phase I include an increase in the salaries of employees who fall below the new range up to the new minimum, and a 2.5°~ service based increase to current employees. The study results are provided in the report by the consultant. In summary, Elaine Holmes said that she believes this is an excellent study and it achieves the objectives that the Board set out to achieve. The Manager recommends pursuance of a phased-in implementation approach. Phase I will include implementation of the new jab classifications and the new stepless salary schedule, increase of salaries below the new minimum up to the new minimum, and granting the first 2.5°~ service-based increase. As for fiscal years 2003-04 and 2004-05, the recommendation is that the Board express its intent to grant the second 2.5% service based increase effective April 26, 2004 for employees with four or more years of service; and express its intent to grant a third 2.5% service-based increase effective July 1, 2004 to those employees with seven or more years service. The costs of the implementation are within the $1.2 million guideline. She made reference to page 13 of the abstract and explained the rainbow chart. Elaine Holmes said that this study represents an investment in the County's work force that will have benefits to the County for years to come. Several clarifying questions from Commissioner Gordon were answered by Elaine Holmes. Commissioner Gordon asked about the years of service and why we were going to recognize employees at four and seven years. Steve Condrey said that he wanted to make the break at the seven-year level because if someone is with the company for seven years, then they are probably going to be a long-term employee. Commissioner Carey asked for a reminder on what was done for the County employees last year and Elaine Holmes said that there was a 2.5% cost of living increase and the in-range salary increase amount was set at 2.5°lo and the meritorious service awards were funded. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the green sheet regarding the housing wage. He said that they have tried to address the lowest paid employees. Also, regarding Sheriff's deputies, the County requires them to live in Orange County but they were not being paid enough to match the housing living wage. He wanted to put forward to try to phase in getting all employees up to a housing wage. He would like to look at some creative ways without spending more money to fold this in and make the statement to employees that we da want them to live in this community. He asked how the Board felt about this. Commissioner Halkiotis asked Elaine Holmes to refresh his memory on the estimated cost of atwo-bedroom apartment rental in Orange County. Elaine Holmes said that the estimated cost to move the minimum County salary up to the two-bedroom rental was $715.00. The fair market rental for atwo-bedroom apartment is $800 a month.