Okaloosa County BOCC — August 18, 2015 — Human Resources Policy Manual Updates — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: August 18, 2015 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: GinNeal McVay SUBJECT: Human Resources Policy Manual Updates DEPARTMENT: Human Resources BCC DISTRICT: ALL STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Request BCC approval of the Human Resources Policy Manual changes identified on the attached pages and summarized below. Changes are clearly identified on the attachment with strikeout for deleted language and underline for new language. BACKGROUND: Chapter VI - Compensation Plan, Section B: In the past, the Board has either authorized a percentage market adjustment or in the case of the last two years, a cost-of-living increase for employees. When market adjustments were received, the percentage provided as a market adjustment was also applied equally to all pay ranges. In FY14 and FY15 when cost-of- living increases were received, none of the pay ranges were adjusted. The current FY16 Budget request contemplates a $500 market adjustment for all employees. Therefore, this year the $500 market adjustment will also be applied equally to all pay ranges. The requested change would allow for either a percentage or flat dollar market adjustment to be applied to all pay ranges. Chapter VI - Compensation Plan, Section D & F: Over the last several years, the County has found it increasingly difficult to attract and retain qualified individuals for hard-to-fill or specialized positions. A survey of other counties/cities shows that most agencies authorize their administrating official to approve starting or promotional salaries up to the maximum of each position's respective pay range. The requested change will allow the County Administrator to approve starting or promotional salaries up to the 75% percentile of each position's respective pay range (up from midpoint now). Chapter VII - Employment, Vacancies and Promotions/Transfers, Section A: The requested change more closely reflects the current practice of the HR Department. Chapter XXIII - Drug-Free Workplace Policy, Section C: Recently, the Federal Transit Administration conducted a Triennial Review of the County’s administration of the transit program. As part of this review, the County's Drug-Free Workplace Policy was reviewed. The reviewer noted that the Policy must include three additional scenarios in the list of actions that would constitute a refusal to be drug tested. This change affects employees who perform maintenance on revenue service vehicles or equipment. OPTIONS: Approve/Provide other direction as desired. RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends the Board approve the proposed changes to the Human Resources Policy Manual. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator