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JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO:
Board of Commissioners
Philip Morley, County Administrator
FROM:
Janet Silvus, JeffCom 911 Director
DATE:
May 2, 2011
RE:
Employment Agreement
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
An employment agreement for the JeffCom Director.
ANALYSIS:
Pursuant to the JeffCom Interlocal Agreement established by the JeffCom Administrative Board, the Director
of JeffCom works under an Employment Agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Terms negotiated in the agreement regarding monetary employment benefits.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approval of agreement
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Janet Silvus, Director
JeffCom 911
344-9788
REVIEWED BY:
. . strator
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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
JANET SIL VUS
Tms AGREEMENT, made and entered into this _ day of 2011, by and between
Jefferson County, a political subdivision of the State of Washington, hereinafter called 'Employer',
acting pursuant to the Interlocal Agreement establishing the Jef:lCom Administrative Board, and Janet
Silvus hereinafter called 'Employee' both of whom understand as follows:
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Employer desires to retain the services of said Janet Silvus as the Director of the
Emergency Communications Center for Jefferson County also known as Jef:lCom911 Communications;
WHEREAS, it is the desire of Employer, to provide certain benefits, establish certain conditions
of employment and to set working conditions of said Employee; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Employer to:
(1) Secure and retain the services of Employee and to provide inducement for
Employee to remain in such employment;
(2) To act as a deterrent against malfeasance or dishonesty for personal gain on the
part of Employee;
(3) To provide a just means for terminating Employee's services at such time as
Employee may be unable to fully discharge the essential duties of the position due
to disability or when Employer may otherwise desire to terminate employ; and,
WHEREAS, Employee desires to accept employment as Director of Jef:lCom911
Communications, the Emergency Communications Center for Jefferson County, Washington;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties
agree as follows:
Section 1. Dnties
The Duties of the Director of Jef:lCom911 Communications, the Jefferson County, Washington
Emergency Communications Center, shall be to perform the functions and duties specified in state law,
the inter-local agreement and by the ordinances of said County, and to perform other legally permissible
and proper duties and functions as the Employer or their designee shall assign from time to time.
Employee shall take policy direction from and report to the JeffCom Adminimative Board,
which shall also set the annual capital and operations budget for Jef:lCom. For day-to-day operational
oversight between Jef:lCom Administrative Board meetings, Employee shall report to the Jefferson
County Sheriff or such other Board member as the Jef:lCom Administrative Board may designate.
Employee shall manage Jef:lCom personnel and human resource matters in compliance with Jefferson
County Policies.
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Janet Silvns Employment Agreement
Section 2. Term
1. Employee shall be employed subject to the terms of the agreement for an indefinite term
commencing on August 9, 2010. Employee shall be considered an "at-will" employee of the
Employer.
2. Nothing in this agreement shall prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with the right of the Employer to
terminllfe the services of Employee at any time, subject only to the provisions set forth in Section 3
of this agreement.
3. Nothing in this agreement shall prevent, limit or otherwise interfere with the right of the Employee
to resign at any time from the Employee's position with Employer, subject only to the provision set
forth in Section 3, paragraph 6, of this agreement.
4. Employee is hereby granted continuing employment status with Employer and agrees to remain in
the exclusive employ of the Employer and shall not accept other employment or to become
employed by any other employer except as provided herein.
5. The term "employed" shall not be construed to include occasional teaching, writing or consulting
service performed on employee's own time off, provided they are consistent with Chapter 42.23
RCW and Jefferson County's Code of Ethics as provided in the Jefferson County Personnel
Administration Manual.
Section 3. Termination and Severance
1. In the event Employer no longer wishes to avail themselves of the services of Employee, Employer
shall give Employee ninety (90) days notice so that she may obtain suitable employment elsewhere.
The Employer shall provide Employee time off and/or other flexibility in work duties as may be
necessary to seek other employment. Both parties may agree to waive this position by agreeing to
compensate employee with 3 months pay and benefits, which would be deducted from the six month
severance as listed in paragraph 2 of this section.
2. Should the Employee be terminated by the Employer, acting through the JeffCom Administrative
Board, without cause during such time that Employee is willing and able to perform her duties under
this agreement, then the Employer agrees to pay Employee, as severance, a cash payment equal to
six (6) months of Employee's then current annual compensation, including salary and the amount
paid by Employer for Employee's health, dental and vision coverage. This payment shall be paid in
a lump sum within thirty (30) days unless otherwise agreed to by the Employer, acting through the
JeffCom Administrative Board, and the Employee. Further, the payment of said severance is
expressly conditioned upon the Employee and the Employer executing an employment release and
settlement agreement in a form that is mutually agreeable to the Employer and the Employee.
3. In the event Employee is terminated for cause, Employer shall have no obligation to pay the
aggregate severance sum designated in this section.
4. If the Employee resigns following an offer to accept resignation, whether formal or informal, by the
Employer (an offer made by a super majority of the JeffCom9ll Administrative Board with or
without the concurrence of the County Administrator) then the Employee may declare a termination.
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Janet SilVDS Employment Agreement
Once a termination is declared, then, as applicable, subsections 2 or 3 of this section will control.
5. If the Employer, acting through the JeffCom Administrative Board, citizens or other legislative body
acts to substantially reduce the role, powers, duties, authority or responsibilities of the Employee's
position, such as designating the position as deputy director of an emergency communications
dispatch center, the Employee may declare a termination, Once a termination is declared, then, as
applicable, subsections 2 or 3 of this section will control.
6. The Employee shaI1 give Employer one (1) month notice in advance of a voluntary resignation from
the appointed position, unless the parties otherwise agree.
Section 4. SaIarv
The JeffCom Administrative Board agrees to start Employee at $64,726.92 for Employee's first year of
employment The next increase will not be less than Step 5 on the Jefferson County Exempt Matrix
system. In the event the State, through its contract with JeffCom, gives a percentage increase to the
Directors' salary, the JeffCom Administrative Board and employee agree not to give an annual increase
that exceeds the percentage given by the state.
Section 5. Performance Evaluation
1. The JeffCom91l Administrative Board shall review and evaluate the performance of the Employee
annually on or about Employee's date of hire.
2. The JeffCom Administrative Board and Employee shaI1 define such goals and performance
objectives which they determine necessary for the proper operation of JeffCom91lCommunications
and shaI1 further establish a relative priority among those various goals and objectives, said goals
and objectives to be reduced to writing. They shall generally be attainable within the time limitations
as specified and the annual operating and capital budgets. At the same time, the Employee shaI1
provide a self-evaluation of the prior year's goals and objectives.
Section 6. Hours of Work
It is recognized that Employee may be required to devote time outside normal office hours to
business of JeffCom911, and to that end Employer recognizes that there will be occasions at which
Employee will work non-traditional hours. Both parties recognize that Employee is an exempt employee
as defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act
Section 7. Automobile
If Employee is required through circumstance to use their own automobile for business the
Employee is entitled to receive mileage allowance in accordance with the Jefferson County Personnel
Administration Manual, Appendix "D" - Travel and Transportation Policy and Procedure, The
Employee understands that they must provide their own automobile insurance in accordance with limits
set out in the laws of Washington State and provide "proof of insurance" to the Jefferson County
Auditor when applying for mileage reimbursement from the County.
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Janet snvus Employment Agreement
Section 8. Personal Time Off (l"fO) and Bereavement Leave
1. As of August 9, 2010, Employee shall be credited with 25 days ofleave time. The Employee shall
then accrue 20 days of leave on an annual basis. Employee will be afforded 11 paid holidays per
year. Since Employee through circumstance may be required to work on a traditional holiday,
Employee will be allowed to choose an alternate day as the paid holiday.
2. Employee is provided the same consideration with regard to bereavement leave as is afforded all
other employees ofJefferson County.
3. The employee is entitled to accrue a maximum of 120 days of unused leave, and in the event the
Employee's employment is terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily, the Employee shall be
compensated for all accrued leave time.
4. Chapter 6 Section 3.5 of the Jefferson County Personnel Administration Manual provides the rules
and procedures for the PTO bank use and cash out and shall control for Employee unless otherwise
specified in this section, except that PTO may also be used during the first 6 months.
Section 9. Disabilitv. Health and Life Insurance Benefits
1. Jefferson County agrees to make required premium payments for Employee for health and
welfare benefits under the terms and conditions afforded other Exempt staff of Jefferson County.
2. Should the Employee die while on travel for the Jefferson County 911 Communications Center,
the Employer, acting through the JeffCom Administrative Board, shall cover the full cost of
retrieving and transporting the Employee's remains back to the custody of the Employee's
family.
Section 10. Retirement
Employee shall participate in the Washington State retirement system of their choice as afforded
all other Exempt staff of Jefferson County, and Jefferson County shall make the required Employer
contributions as afforded all other Exempt staff of the County.
Section 11. Dues and Subscriptions
Employer, acting through the JeffCom Administrative Board, agrees to budget for and to pay for
professional dues and subscriptions of the Employee necessary for continuation and full participation in
national, regional, state and local associations and organizations necessary and desirable for the
Employee's continued professional participation, growth, and advancement and for the good of the
Jefferson County 911 Communications Center.
Section 12. Professional Development
1. As budgeted funds allow, Employer acting through the JeffCom Adm;n;<ltrative Board, hereby
agrees to pay the travel and subsistence expenses of Employee for official travel, meetings, short
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Janet Silvns Employment Agreement
courses, seminars, and occasions appropriate to the position and adequate to continue the
Employee's professional development including but not limited to meetings and an annual
conference of professional associations, and state, and regional groups of which Employee serves as
a member.
2. Time while at such training is considered time worked. Employee is not prohibited from asking for
such funds in the annual budget request on behalf of JeffCom911 Communications but provision of
such funds that exceed the amount reimbursed by the State is not guaranteed or promised.
3. Employee shall be afforded resources, assistance from the Prosecutor's Office and the County
Administrator's Office, and other training as budgeted funds allow, to understand and operate
effectively within the law, ordinances, and codes and to understand the legislative process of the
State of Washington and County of Jefferson as necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the
Jefferson County 911 Communications Center Director.
Section 13. Other Exnenses
Employer recognizes that certain expenses that are job-affiliated may be incurred by Employee,
and hereby agrees to reimburse or to pay said expenses. The County Auditor is hereby authorized to
disburse such monies upon receipt of duly executed expense or petty cash vouchers, receipts, statements
or personal affidavits. Such payments are to be budgeted items and are regulated by the disbursement
rules of Jefferson County.
Section 14. Indemnification and Bond
1. Employer shall defend, save harmless and indemnify Employee against any tort, professional
liability claim or demand or other legal action, whether groundless or otherwise, arising out of an
alleged act or omission occurring in the performance of Employee's duties as JeffCom911
Communications Director resulting from the exercise of judgment or discretion in connection with
the performance of duties or responsibilities, unless the act or omission involve willful or wanton
("ultra vires") conduct.
2. The Employee may request and the Employer shall indemnify employee against any and al11osses,
i1"rnages, judgments, interest, settlements, fines, court costs and other reasonable costs and expenses
oflegal proceedings including attorney's fees, and any other liabilities incurred by, imposed upon, or
suffered by such Employee in connection with or resulting from any claim action, suit, or
proceeding, actual or threatened, arising out of or in connection with the performance ofhis or her
duties unless such action is deemed "ultra vires" by the County.
3. Employer is a member of the Washington Counties Risk Pool ("WCRP") and as such the WCRP
provides coverage for most third-party liability claims against the Employer County or Employee
arising in tort or seeking money d"rnaees based on statutory or constitutional violations. In those
circumstances, the Employee would be provided a defense by the WCRP. In other circumstances
not covered by the WCRP Joint Self-Insurance Liability Policy, the Jefferson County Prosecuting
Attorney's Office ("the P AO'') or other appointed outside counsel shall defend, hold harmless and
indemnify the Employee for acts or omissions in connection with the performance of the duties or
responsibilities of serving as JeffCom911 Communications Director. "litra vires" conduct on the
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Janet SUvns Employment Agreement
part of the Employee would not trigger representation by either the P AO or appointed outside
counsel.
Section 15. Other Terms and Conditions of Emplovment
1. The JeffCom Administrative Board, in consultation with the Employee, shall fix any such other
terms and conditions of employment, as it may determine from time to time, relating to the
performance of Employee, provided such terms and conditions are not inconsistent with or in
conflict with the provisions of this agreement, the ordinances, charter or any other law.
2. All provisions of the Jefferson County Code of Ordinances and/or other policies adopted by
Jefferson County, including but not limited to the Jefferson County Personnel Administration
Manual, and regulations and rules of Jefferson County relating to PTO, holidays and other fringe
benefits and working conditions as they now exist or hereafter may be amended, also shall apply to
Employee as they would to other employees of Employer, in addition to said benefits enumerated
specifically for the benefit of Employee except as herein provided.
3. The Employer will pay the Employee three thousand dollars even ($3,000.00) to cover relocation
costs to Jefferson County.
Section 16. No Reduction of Benefits
Employer shall not at any time during the term of this agreement reduce the salary, compensation
or other financial benefits of Employee, unless mutually agreed upon.
Section 17. Notices
Notices pursuant to this agreement shall be given by deposit in the custody of the United States
Postal Service, certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
EMPLOYER:
JeffCom Administrative Board CIO
Jefferson County, Washington
County Administrator
P.O. Box 1220
Port Townsend, Washington 98368
EMPLOYEE:
Janet Silvus
321 Sunset Boulevard
Port Townsend, W A 98368
Alternatively, notices required pursuant to this agreement may be personally served in the same manner
as provided by law. Notice shall be deemed given as of the date of personal service or as of the date of
deposit of such written notice in the course of transmission in the United States Postal Service.
Section 18. General Provisions
1. The text herein shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties. Any prior oral or written
representations, statements or assurances between the parties are null and void.
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Janet SUvus Employment Agreement
2. This agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs at law heirs testamentary,
and successors of Employee, collectively "successor." In no event sha1l any successor, as defined
here, be entitled to serve as Director of JeffCom 911 Communications upon the death of Employee..
3. Upon execution of this Agreement by the Employer and Employee, the effective date of this
Agreement is deemed to be August 9, 2010.
4. If any provision, or any portion thereof, contained in this agreement is held unconstitutional, invalid
or unenforceable, the remainder of this agreement, or portion thereof, sha1l be deemed severable,
sha1l not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 19. Expiration
This agreement shall renew automatically on August 9 of every year beginning on August 9
2011, unless either the Employer, acting through the JeffCom Administrative Board, or Employee
terminate the Agreement in a manner consistent with Section 3 of this Agreement. If termination of this
Agreement is undertaken by either party to this Agreement in a manner consistent with Section 3 and if
the terms of Section 3 and this Section are in conflict, then the terms of Section 3 shall control.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Board of County Commissioners has caused this agreement to
be signed and executed and duly attested by its Clerk, the JeffCom911 Communications Administration
Board has mtified in writing the execution of this Contract by the County Commission and the
Employee has signed and executed this agreement the day and year first written above.
EXECUTED this _ day of
,2011.
EMPLOYER:
EMPLOYEE:
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
John Austin, Chair
JEFFCOM ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD
Approved as 1."> form only:
0:d ~,Ob;) !:/'
Chair
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
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Philip Morley
ATTEST:
Lorna Delaney, Clerk of the Board
Janet Sllvns Employment Agreement
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APPROVED AS TO FORM ONLY:
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