WHATCOM COUNTY COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS

Transcription

1 WHATCOM COUNTY COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AGENDA Thursday, March 19, 2015, 4:00 p.m. Whatcom Transportation Authority Board Room 4111 Bakerview Spur, Bellingham A. CALL TO ORDER Pages B. PUBLIC COMMENT C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 19, 2015 Meeting 1-4 D. REVIEW INFORMATION REQUESTS D.1 County Organizational Structure 5 D.2 Salaries of Elected Officials and Seconds 6 D.3 County Director and Division Manager Salaries 7-9 D.4 WTA Finance Director Salary 10 D.5 Clark County Governmental Structure 11 E. DISCUSSION E.1 Preliminary Salary Placements F. NEXT STEPS G. ADJOURN R:\Projects\SalaryComm-2015\Packets\ docx

2 AGENDA ITEM C.1 A. CALL TO ORDER WHATCOM COUNTY COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS MINUTES Thursday, February 19, 2015, 4:00 p.m. Whatcom Transportation Authority Board Room 4111 Bakerview Spur Road, Bellingham, WA The meeting was called to order by Al Jensen, Commission Chairman at 4:04 p.m. ATTENDANCE Members Present: Mike Arbiter-District #2,, Bob Carmichael-Legal Profession, Thom Fischer-District #1, Allan Jensen-Organized Labor, Brian Lydiard-Business, Peter Schroeder-District #3, Kara Turner- Personnel Management Members Absent: Staff Present: Others Present: Kristi Birkeland-District #1, George Plucinski-District #2, Jesse Berg-District #3 Andy Rowlson-WTA Director of Human Resources and Commission Facilitator, Vicki Esser-WTA Executive Assistant/ Clerk of the Board and Commission Administrative Assistant Debbie Adelstein, Steve Oliver APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Jensen asked if there were any corrections to the minutes from the previous meeting. There were none. MOTION BY LYDIARD, SECONDED BY TURNER TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 15, 2015 MEETING. The motion passed unanimously. B. PUBLIC COMMENT None R:\Projects\SalaryComm-2015\Packets\ docx 1

3 C. ELECTED OFFICIAL COMMENT C.1 Letter of Invitation to Elected Officials C.2 Verbal Comment Debbie Adelstein County Auditor: Ms. Adelstein informed the commission that she handles all elections, recording, & licensing. She stated that the elected officials also serve as the administrator for their division. She said she supervises 19 employees in her division. She said the difference from a regular administrator is that she is required to carry a bond and, in some cases, could be personally liable for mistakes. Ms. Adelstein suggested that the commission consider comparing elected official salaries to other department heads in the County. She stated that she has finished three years as County Auditor and is beginning her fourth. Commissioner Carmichael asked if Ms. Adelstein was suggesting comparisons with the Department Heads and Division Managers in Administrative Services (such as the Finance, Facilities, and HR managers.) Ms. Adelstein agreed but said the commission could look at all Department heads and compare the numbers of employees for which they are responsible. Commissioner Schroeder asked if we have an organization chart. Mr. Rowlson said he will check and will get one if not. Steve Oliver County Treasurer: Mr. Oliver stated that his position is somewhat different than other elected officials because it was created by the State Constitution. He said he serves as the Treasurer for about 70 public entities in the county. He said his department collects property and other taxes, but also provides a full array of financial services to other entities in the County, basically functioning as their bank. He said his office would be the fourth largest bank in the County if measured by the others. He said they have $3 billion - $4 billion on deposit most of the time. Mr. Oliver said he agrees with Ms. Adelstein s comments about looking at the compensation equity in their building. He said his closest peer is the County Finance Director who makes substantially more than he does. He reported that the County Council took away some vehicle expense and supplemental compensation that he and the County Assessor had previously. Commissioner Fischer asked how much it costs him to run for reelection every four years. Mr. Oliver said it costs between $10,000 and $11,000 out of his own pocket. Mr. Fischer also asked how this job compares with what he could make in the private sector. Mr. Oliver said his salary would probably be on the R:\Projects\SalaryComm-2015\Packets\ docx 2

4 lower half of the curve. He added that there is some inequity even when comparing to other public agencies in the County. It was discussed that elected officials have no sick leave or vacation accruals, but take time off as needed. They have no cash outs like others at the end of their employment. Mr. Carmichael asked for more details about the benefit that was taken away. Mr. Oliver said it was enacted around 2006 before he was elected. He said he is finishing his second term as Treasurer. He said they were paid a monthly amount for vehicle expenses which ranged from about $350 to $750. He said there was also cell phone compensation, and compensation for attendance at meetings outside of the normal work day. He said, in his case, that total extra compensation was about $4,500 per year, but it was different for each position. He said if he uses his personal vehicle for business now, he can fill out a mileage log, but that is not practical since he does not have administrative help. He said he usually does not request mileage reimbursement unless travelling out of the county. He said cell phone expense is now out of pocket. D. INFORMATION REQUESTS D.1 Review of Requested Information Mr. Rowlson led a review of the packet information. Commissioners requested the following additional information: County organization chart Salary for County department heads and administrative services managers Salary for WTA s Finance Director The commission discussed the packet information. The main points of the discussion follow: The Sheriff has the responsibility for running a jail and emergency management which most other sheriffs do not. The decisions of council members could shape the county far into the future. We need to pay them well to keep good county council members. Comparisons to private industry get difficult. Frequently, private businesses will not share salary information. Most people in private jobs pay much more for their medical insurance. Elected officials don t have unemployment insurance if they don t win the election. R:\Projects\SalaryComm-2015\Packets\ docx 3

5 Most commission members feel they don t have sufficient data for the council, but there isn t much available for comparison. There are vast differences between estimates of hours worked. Steve Oliver stated that Clark County just became a Home Charter county and may be a comparable. They have an appointed rather than elected executive. The commission agreed to continue analyzing the current data and look at the other requested data for further discussion at the next meeting. F. NEXT STEPS The next meeting was scheduled for March 19 th at 4:00 p.m. at WTA. I. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned by Chair Jensen at 5:53 p.m. Minutes approved by the Commission in open public meeting on. Date Whatcom County Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials Whatcom County, Washington Allan Jensen Chairman Attest: Vicki G. Esser Commission Administrative Assistant R:\Projects\SalaryComm-2015\Packets\ docx 4

6 AGENDA ITEM D.1 R:\Projects\SalaryComm-2015\Packets\ docx 5

7 AGENDA ITEM D.2 WHATCOM COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS & SECONDS 2015 Monthly Assessor $8,429 Chief Deputy Assessor $8,230 Actual $8,258 Top Step Auditor $8,429 Chief Deputy Auditor $7,021 Actual $8,258 Top Step Prosecuting Attorney $13,030 Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor $10,156 Actual $10,156 Top Step Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor $10,105 Actual $10,585 Top Step Sheriff $10,755 Undersheriff $9,504 Actual $9,504 Top Step Treasurer $8,429 Chief Deputy Treasurer $7,863 Actual $8,258 Top Step County Executive $12,822 R:\Projects\SalaryComm-2015\Packets\ docx 6

8 AGENDA ITEM D.3 Whatcom County Director and Division Manager Salaries and Qualifications Department Director - Public Works Monthly Salary Range $8,751- $11,837 Educational Requirements Bachelor s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, or a related field. Masters degree preferred. Job Experience 6 years progressively responsible related experience in area of Public Works. Minimum Supervisory /Management Experience Staff Supervised 3 years 161 Administrator - Superior Court/Juvenile Department/Clerk $8,392- $11,352 Bachelor s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. 6 years progressively responsible related experience. 4 years 72 Director -Health Department $8,596- $11,555 Master s degree in Public Health or Public Health Administration or a related field or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Membership in American Public Health Association (APHA) or other professional/social/health/ environmental service societies is desirable. 6 years progressively responsible related experience 3 years R:\Projects\SalaryComm-2015\Packets\ docx 7

9 Director - Planning & Development $8,545- $11,504 Master s degree in business administration, public administration or a related field or a combination of education, training and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Prior experience in construction management or private business involving interaction with government entities on matters related to land use and life-safety codes is desired. 6 years progressively responsible related experience 3 years 44 Director - Parks & Recreation $8,148- $10,990 Bachelor s degree in Parks and Recreation Administration or a related field. Master s degree preferred. 5 years progressively responsible related experience 3 years 23 Finance Manager $6,838- $9,259 Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field. Master's degree preferred. Must be a Certified Public Accountant. 5 years progressively responsible financial management or professional accounting management experience including 3 years experience with budgeting and payroll. Experience in the administration of self-insurance, purchasing and supply activities, governmental fund accounting and system training is preferred. No requirement 11 Human Resources Manager $6,838- $9,259 Bachelor s degree in Personnel, Public or Business Administration, Human Resource Management or a related field. Master s degree preferred. 5 years progressively responsible related experience in managing major Human Resource programs and activities. 3 years labor relations experience. Experience in the public sector preferred. No requirement 6 R:\Projects\SalaryComm-2015\Packets\ docx 8

10 Information Technology Manager $6,838- $9,259 Bachelor s degree in Information Technology, Management Information Systems, Computer Science, Public/Business Administration or a related field. Masters degree and public sector experience preferred. 5 years progressively responsible information technology management experience including experience in IT infrastructure planning and development. No requirement 25 Facilities Manager $6,556- $8,879 Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Facilities Management or a related field. Facilities management experience with multifacility organizations and a Master's degree are preferred. Successful completion of HAZ- MAT Materials/Operations Training is preferred and may be required within two years of employment. 5 years progressively responsible management experience in facilities management, maintenance, operation, design and construction. 3 years experience involving oversight of staff, facilities design and construction projects, and project operations budgets. 3 years 17 R:\Projects\SalaryComm-2015\Packets\ docx 9

11 AGENDA ITEM D.4 Finance Director Whatcom Transportation Authority 2015 Salary Range: $7,192 to $9,637 monthly $86,304 to $115,644 annually Incumbent: $8,325 monthly $99,900 annually Education and Qualifications Bachelor s Degree in accounting or related field from an accredited four-year university required. Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or Master of Business Administration (MBA) required. Audit experience preferred. Ten years experience in finance or accounting field with seven of those years being in government, transportation or other relevant area. Five years in senior-level finance or accounting position. R:\Projects\SalaryComm-2015\Packets\ docx 10

12 AGENDA ITEM D.5 Clark County Governmental Structure Clark County is transitioning to five County Council Members, with four of the new Councilor salaries being $53,000 and the chair salary being 20% higher at $63,600. A county-wide election determines the chair. The 15-member Board of Freeholders that developed the charter also established the salary. During the transition, the annual salary of the two Commissioners currently in office will be $102,228 for the remaining two years of their terms. The Commissioner elected in 2014 will also receive $102,228 for two years but drop to $53,000 for the remaining two years. The two vacant Councilor positions are up for election this fall. The Councilors received full-time benefits similar to other full time employees at the County. However, the home rule charter purposely omits whether or not the Councilors are full or part time. The individual Councilor determines his or her own schedule and hours of work. A link to the Home Rule document is below. Section 5.5 and 10.7 refers to the salaries. Also, Section 5.5 implies the council members are part-time by indicating: 5.5C If the Washington State Salary Commission increases legislative salaries to reflect a change from a part-time to full-time legislature, the percent change applied to the Executive Branch of Washington state government shall apply to council members, and other elected officials. R:\Projects\SalaryComm-2015\Packets\ docx 11