Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
5. Transition of Long Term Temporary Funding to Meet Permanent County Staff <br /> Needs <br /> Chair Jacobs said that he wanted to make it clear that these are not new positions, but <br /> the County's attempt to stop exploiting people who are temporary employees who do not get <br /> benefits even though they are working full-time for the benefit of Orange County citizens. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that these are employees that are getting paid out of a temporary <br /> staffing line, which the County funds. There has been discussion about making these positions <br /> permanent. She reviewed the background on this issue. The blue sheet is a list of requested <br /> positions to be moved to permanent status. There will continue to be some temporary <br /> employees, categorized as follows: <br /> - Seasonal Employees <br /> - Student Intern <br /> - Temporary Employees <br /> - Time Limited Part-Time Employees <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked about the cost impact and if that was completely due to <br /> benefits. Donna Coffey said that it is mainly for benefits and staff will bring back the cost <br /> projections in May. <br /> Commissioner Nelson asked about the Construction Manager position because he has <br /> always perceived this as not a permanent position. Laura Blackmon said that right now there <br /> are so many projects in the foreseeable future that this position would be more permanent <br /> versus a contractual position. <br /> Commissioner Nelson asked if other counties have construction managers and Laura <br /> Blackmon said yes. <br /> Commissioner Foushee said that this position should be reconsidered to be re-titled as a <br /> Value Engineer or some slash title. She said that the County will always need someone to <br /> manage construction projects. <br /> Laura Blackmon said that this position is really a project manager. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that she would like this information to be clarified. <br /> The Board agreed to consider these positions becoming permanent positions. <br /> Chair Jacobs said that he would like to see the net change in the temporary budget. <br /> 6. Requested New Staff Resources Fiscal Year 2008-09 <br /> Laura Blackmon said that she wanted the Board to see what the departments are asking <br /> for. The County will not be able to fund all of these positions and thus, there may have to be a <br /> reduction of the level of service. Some of these positions are tied to the opening of new <br /> facilities. <br /> Chair Jacobs asked that the County Commissioners just flag positions for now. <br /> Commissioner Foushee said that it would be helpful to know which positions were <br /> requested last year and not funded. <br /> Commissioner Gordon agreed that the County cannot afford to fund all of these. She <br /> made reference to Category 2, under Planning and Inspections, and asked about the .475 <br /> position. She flagged this item. <br /> Also, under Category 3, Emergency Services, she asked how many Assistant Fire <br /> Marshals there are currently. She also suggested that department heads be asked to reassign <br /> certain positions and determine what does not get done if these positions are not filled. <br /> Chair Jacobs said that at some point Laura Blackmon will need to pinpoint those <br /> positions that are unavoidable because of actions the Board of County Commissioners has <br /> made. <br /> The meeting was adjourned at 9:57 pm. <br />