Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-24 Work Session Minutes Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.org MINUTES OF WORK SESSION DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2008 ___________________________ Present were Commissioners Dennis R. Luke, Michael M. Daly and Tammy Baney. Also present were Dave Kanner, County Administrator; Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator; Marty Wynne, Finance; Dave Inbody, Assistant to the Administrator; and Anna Johnson, Communications. No representatives of the media or other citizens were present. Chair Luke opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. 1. Briefing on PERS Rates for 2009-2011. Dave Kanner said that the PERS rates are down. Next year the account will be handled differently, which should save the departments some money. He provided an overview of the plan, who is covered and at what level. PERS was able to lower the rate to the County based on the huge stock market surge of a couple of years ago. However, based on current events, this will change. The County collects more than actual cost and puts the difference into a PERS reserve fund. About 40% of employees are now OPSRP, not PERS. PERS allows a blended rate to be paid (covers all types of employees), and that is what the County has been doing. This, however, gives the Sheriff’s Office a huge subsidy. If the County goes with a split rate, this advantage will no longer apply. All departments would benefit from this change. Commissioner Luke pointed out that this could be a problem during negotiations with the union later, and they need to understand this. Mr. Wynne said they need to know that this will result in a savings in the long term. Mr. Kanner added that this should actually help with negotiations. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, November 24, 2008 Page 1 of 3 Pages Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, November 24, 2008 Page 2 of 3 Pages 2. Briefing on Employee Recognition Program. Mr. Kanner stated that a team of managers and department heads worked on this program. It has four prongs and should work for most departments as some flexibility is allowed. These are peer-to-peer recognition, supervisory to subordinate, interdepartmental recognition, and longevity. Employees often know who the performers are in their department. Some employees would like to be recognized but, for instance, do not want to be included in the Friday Update. Mr. Kanner said that there needs to be some kind of recognition for people who quietly do a good job. Department heads can decide to provide lunch for everyone in their department to recognize their steady work. This also ties into department heads providing timely reviews, as points can be collected by employees for each “exceeds expectation”, up to five. These points can be used to purchase award items through a catalog. Commissioner Luke stated that some people may be critical of rewarding employees for work that they are expected to do anyway. There is some feeling that the plaques are appreciated but not useful, and they can be expensive. For longevity, the employees will be given a choice of a plaque or points. The form of the plaque will also change to the shape of the County. Commissioner Baney said she is impressed by the plan. Commissioner Luke asked that the County continue to award the plaques even if there is another way to recognize longevity. 3. Economic Development Grant Requests. ƒ La Pine Park & Recreation District – Insurance Premiums – Commissioners Daly and Baney expressed concern that the residents of La Pine are not supportive of the District and do not feel that the County should keep giving them money. If La Pine citizens want to have activities through their Park and Recreation District, they should provide more support locally. No funds were granted. ƒ Humane Society of Redmond – Additional Outside Kennels – Commissioner Daly granted $5,525.