2017-180-Minutes for Meeting February 05,1985 Recorded 4/19/2017Recorded in Deschutes County CJ2017-180
Nancy Blankenship, County Clerk 0
Commissioners' Journal 4/19/2017 1:55:59 PM
Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
Bend, Oregon
DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Audio Cassette Recording Titled: MEETING WITH PUBLIC WORKS REGARDING A
COMPENSATION STUDY
February 5, 1985; 9:00-11:15 (2 tapes).
A meeting of the Board of County Commissioners was held on February 5, 1985.
Commissioners present were Lois Prante, Dick Maudlin and Larry Tuttle. Also
present were Rick Isham, County Counsel; County Administrator Mike Maier; and
Public Works staff.
Before the Board was a discussion of a review of compensation issues at the
Public Works Department.
The consultant explained how the process works, from the employee filling out
the job questionnaire. She four days interviewing employees about the work they
do. Job descriptions were developed from this. Classification descriptions are left
fairly open for management purposes. Job descriptions can be more precise.
This information was returned to employees and supervisors with a variety of
suggestions that were incorporated.
Transcription of Audio Recording of a Meeting with Public Works, February 5, 1985
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A compensation survey was also conducted, comparing four counties: Douglas,
Umatilla, Josephine and Klamath. In most cases they could find fairly good
matches. They also looked at internal relationships regarding overall
compensation.
The recommendations overall are contained in the report provided to the Board,
which was then reviewed in detail.
Regarding salaries, Deschutes County is on a seven -step system versus those
jurisdictions that have a five-step system. For that reason, they looked at top
range, mid-range and entry range. The entry range might be a bit low, but growth
potential is quite adequate for most. If they have problems recruiting at the entry
level, the County might want to analyze this.
There have been cutbacks in the past few years, so this is something that the
County might want to consider. If there are no problems recruiting, then step 1
might be okay, since it is typically a training period anyway.
Mr. Maier said that one part of the study added in Linn County, the State and the
City of Bend. It is believed that all of the entities listed are part of collective
bargaining.
Each year they try to get this done early rather than in spring or summer for
budget reasons. A good number of people are up for change.
Mr. Maudlin asked if there was an attempt to take into consideration the medical
and dental cover for each agency. Mr. Maier said they did a brief comparison. He
feels that some are close to the County's, but not as good overall, especially when
it comes to dependents. Some employees in other agencies have higher benefits
but pay more for them. All but Josephine are part of retirement system;
Josephine has its own.
Mr. Tuttle feels that some of the jobs compared are not really the same. The
titles are different and it is possible more education is needed for some than
others.
Transcription of Audio Recording of a Meeting with Public Works, February 5, 1985
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He was advised that they are quite similar even if the titles are different. They
looked at education and certifications. A lengthy, detailed discussion ensued
regarding this particular issue.
The group went over each classification and some of the jobs in detail, agreeing
on some and disputing others. Some had a minimal amount of dollars affected.
They discussed which particular employees were at what level within their
classification.
The group agreed that they would not knock anyone's pay down based on the
study. There was also a long discussion on how the study would affect employees
and how difficult it might be for some of them to get ahead in their classification,
or moving into a new classification.
The department director said he has taken a lot of time to put the department
into high gear and getting everyone to work at their best. He does not want any
of this jeopardized by the Board thinking that any of them are now being
overpaid.
He has to deal with the morale and keep them happy with their jobs. The group
works together and talk together, and they will get very down if they think that
they are being taken advantage of. (There was a discussion about some
employees who are doing basically the same thing but are paid at a different
level.)
The director, Neil Huston, said that the employees are professional and respect
each other. Many of them are key to holding the organization together. Some of
them are very good and could make a lot more money someplace else. Recruiting
decent people for some of these positions if the pay is less will be extremely
difficult. it is better to pay the current people what they should get and not go
through a lengthy recruitment and training period. He does not want to have to
go through a bunch of motivational or employee issues because of what the
Board thinks this study says. The Board is welcome to come out and explain the
rationale behind it.
Transcription of Audio Recording of a Meeting with Public Works, February 5, 1985
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They certainly cannot think about demoting anyone. The field is changing all the
time, and more and more education and certifications are necessary to keep up.
The employees have been able and willing to do this, and comply with whatever
else the industry demands these days.
Some are maxed out on their classification and this presents some difficulties
overall.
There was a very long, heated discussion about this particular scenario, with a
variety of opinions.
Mr. Maudlin said that if someone doesn't like the reclassification numbers, they
are welcome to quit their job. The others stated that this is not the realistic way
to deal with the issue. They also have collective bargaining to consider.
Mr. Huston said that some employees have worked very hard to get ahead. Some
have nowhere to go unless they change positions. They can't keep moving the
goalposts for these people.
There was another discussion about merit increases, but it was felt this should be
addressed at another time. Mr. Maier said there really have not been merit
increases for a very long time.
Mr. Maudlin said that the Board needs to make it clear that this is what they are
going to do, and where it falls, it falls. Ms. Prante said that there might be some
leeway on the actual substance of the jobs. However, she does not want to be at
the top of pay compared to other agencies.
The Board then went over each job description and pay information in detail.
There was concern about recruitment efforts.
Mr. Huston said that just over four years ago they had a study done, that
supposedly put everyone where they were supposed to be. He cannot
understand why they are considering another study that says this was all wrong
and it has to be changed again. Another study in a few years might do the same
thing.
Transcription of Audio Recording of a Meeting with Public Works, February 5, 1985
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This is not in the best interests of the County and its people, as it is not an exact
science. Things change but not that fast.
Mr. Maier said that they had a nursing study done and adjusted the pay. But
recently they tried recruiting and no one applied. So obviously some changes had
to be made. He would not want to see this same thing happen in Public Works,
because once you have to change the hiring criteria, it can snowball and affect
other positions.
Mr. Maudlin wants to draw the line. Mr. Huston said that a few years ago, there
was a retirement and that position was taken down a notch. Dennis Morris was
put into that position at a lower range. (He went on about who came in at what
position and range.) They have recently had a problem recruiting for these
workers so changed the work that each does. As they get busier and need to take
on more work, they may have to make other adjustments.
It was suggested that the Commissioners should visit the department, and spend
significant time there to see in person what each employee does. However, they
can't be talking to individuals about the study or their pay level. Some of them
may be subject to their annual review around this time as well.
The person who put the study together will revise some of the information, based
on today's conversation. They can revisit the results of the compensation study
after doing this due diligence.
I certify that the above is a true and accurate record of a meeting, as reproduced from a
cassette tape identified as Minutes of a Meeting of the Deschutes County Board of
Commissioners, held on February 5, 1985. This record was completed subsequent to the
presiding Deschutes County Board of Commissioners' tenure.
Bonnie Baker
For the Board of County Commissioners
Transcription of Audio Recording of a Meeting with Public Works, February 5, 1985
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