NorCo Council Considers Personnel Changes, Step Increase, at Final Budget Hearing

NorCo jail

I've experienced my fair share of both root canals and budget hearings in my time here on planet earth. They are both long and painful. Northampton County Council finished their final budget hearing last night. I've been to most, either in person or online. They've been trainwrecks. Ron Heckman, who has been presiding over NorCo Council since Ken Kraft jumped ship, has conducted unnecessarily lengthy meetings and has actively encouraged tedious discussion that at times borders on lunacy. I only lasted about an hour today before I quietly rolled the hell out of there with a pounding headache. And this is as things should be. When Council members struggle or talk about something to death, I know they are being transparent. Quick meetings with little discussion make me suspect all the decisions are being made in the back room. I have to credit Council President Ron Heckman for these disastrous meetings. I torment him because he loves to talk. But he has given us all an opportunity to see how the sausage is made. It's painful, but it's also good government. Ken Kraft was much quicker as Council President. I do miss his more organized approach. But government is sloppy, no matter how organized you try to be. Ron Heckman embraces the madness. I'd rather have Kraft as my dentist.

The biggest news, at least for nonunion employees, is Executive Lamont McClure's proposal to give step increases to employees hired in 2014, 2015 and 2016, provided they are not already at the top of their payscale and received no step increase last year.

The rationale for this is to correct a gap that was created last year when former Executive John Brown agreed to a step increase for longer term nonunion workers. McClure said he is hopeful this step increase will help the county retain qualified and talented workers.

A step increase translates to a salary increase of about 4 1/2 per cent. If McClure is combining this along with his proposed two per cent wage hike, some nonunion workers will be doing quite well.

This step increase would have no application to employees who just started this year. But it also has no application to employees hired in 2017. This makes little sense to me. It also bothered Council members Bill McGee, Matt Dietz and Ron Heckman. McClure told Council he would provide figures for the cost of a step increase for workers hired in 2017. A decision will be made Thursday night.

In addition to this step increase, McClure is proposing the elimination of some positions, and addition of others.

Eliminations.

Deputy Purchasing Manager, Pay Grade CS 26-09-I, salary $79,445. - This position was held by Terry Beidleman, who retired last month. Administrators concluded there is insufficient work to justify this position.

Voting machine custodian, Pay Grade RU-25-07-G, salary $61,346. - This position is or was held by Dave Zawick. Administrators concluded there is insufficient work to justify this position.

Community and Economic Development Finance Specialist, Pay Grade CS-23-03-C, salary $52,283. - This position is or was held by David Hughes. As the county has assumed control over internal operations at the General Purpose Authority, this position can no longer be justified.

Community and Economic Development Specialist, Pay Grade CS-23-01-A, salary $47,876. The county has assumed control over internal operations at the General Purpose Authority and the Gaming Board is abolished. - I am unsure who is impacted by this elimination.

Nursing Home Fiscal Administrator, Pay Grade CS-33-03-C, salary $83,046. - This position is or was held by Peter Koorie, and is no longer necessary as the county resumes administration of the nursing home itself. Zrinski chuckled for some reason as this matter was considered.

Additions.

Agricultural Technician, Pay Grade CS-22-01A, salary $45,723, in Conservation District. - Moved forward with no discussion.

Six corrections officers, Pay Grade PR-01-01-A, total salary $207,193. - Council member John Cusick is opposed, saying there is more of a need to fill vacant positions than to create new ones. he noted that in 2008, there were 271 positions. It dipped n 2012, but has been consistent. He noted there is no additional jail space and there is no need. Cusick added that Lamont McClure, as a candidate, said there was no need for additional spending in corrections.

Executive McClure responded that these new officers are needed as a matter of safety for both the corrections officers and the inmates.
He said this would also reduce overtime in a place where mandated overtime has been a problem and is very stressful to officers.

There are currently seven vacancies.

Cusick noted there was $1.9 million in OT at the jail this year, but he sees no significant decrease in OT wages for next year. Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron said he expects the OT to decrease, but is budgeting for it to play it safe.

Cusick was the sole No vote on the increase in corrections officers.

Vector Control Specialist, Pay Grade RU-25-01-1, salary $45,763. - This was moved forward with no discussion.

Deputy Director, Human Services, Pay Grade CS-31-01-A, salary $69,054. - This was moved forward with no discussion. But after the vote, Cusick asked Executive McClure if this is an exempt position. "It is not," responded McClure. he explained the Charter only permits one exempt position for each Director.

Clerical Technician I at Gracedale, PT, Pay Grade CS-11-01-A, salary $13,778. - This was moved forward with no discussion.

Fiscal Technician at Gracedale, Pay Grade CS-16-01-A, salary $34,686. - Council member Peg Ferraro asked what the difference is between this position and the eliminated position of Fiscal Administrator. Barron responded that the Fiscal Administrator was a liaison with Premier, the privatized nursing home administrator. He added that the new position will be taking in the new Medical Assistance cases to keep the revenue flowing at Gracedale. It should minimize accounts receivable. This position was moved forward.

Nursing Home Administrator, Pay Grade CS-38-06-F, salary $119,009. The County is returning to an in-house Administrator. Council member Cusick thanked Premier for the job they did. He said he has "grave concerns" that the in-house Administrator will lack Premier's expertise. Cusick is opposed to this position. Council member Peg Ferraro said she will vote for the position because Premier is gone, but is "very leery" about it. Council member Ron Heckman said he had concerns, but that Council is much more willing to act as an overseer.   

Executive Lamont McClure said that increased morale is one benefit, and that Premier is willing to return if the need arises. "We're going to be fine and that's why we're ding what we're doing," he said.

The County was paying Premier $450,000 per year.

John Cusick was the sale No vote.