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44 <br /> 1 Slide#12 <br /> FY 2026-27 Balancing the Budget <br /> Existing Personnel Cost Drivers <br /> Across the Board Wage Adjustment-$930,000 for each 1% <br /> Step Increases(Department of Social Services,Sheriff's Office, Emergency Services)—($410,000) <br /> - Developed as recruitment and retention incentive in highly competitive labor market <br /> - Employees on the Step Program continue to receive across the board increase as well as lump sum merit payment of up to <br /> $1,144 based on performance evaluation <br /> Merit Increases-$455,000 <br /> - Wage increases based on performance up to$1,144 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> 12 NORTH CAROLINA <br /> 2 <br /> 3 <br /> 4 Slide#13 <br /> FY 2026-27 Balancing the Budget <br /> Vacant Positions and Service Levels <br /> 42 vacant positions currently under hiring freeze <br /> $3.7 million salary and benefits <br /> Department #of Vacancies IDepartment of Vacancies 1 Housing 2 <br /> Animal Services 1 Human Resources 1 <br /> Arts Commission 1 Library 2 <br /> Asset Management 1 Planning 3 <br /> Emergency Services 3 Register of Deeds 2 <br /> DEAPR 1 Sheriff 8 <br /> Finance 1 Social Services 6 <br /> Health 8 Solid Waste 1 <br /> TOTAL 42 <br /> ,s ORAN GE COUNTY <br /> TTO5 <br /> 6 Travis Myren reported that he froze all hiring about a month ago to stabilize the vacancy count.As <br /> 7 of that date, approximately 42 vacancies exist across county government, proportionally concentrated in <br /> 8 the largest departments — Health, DSS, and the Sheriff's Office. He said recommendations will likely <br /> 9 include eliminating some vacancies and shifting positions from general fund to non-general fund sources <br />