HomeMy WebLinkAbout001 14I y Ir + ^ COUNTY OF JEFFERSON
State of Washington
In the Matter of Documenting Guidelines far} 01 -14
Budgeting for Replacement Positions, New } RESOLUTION NO.
Positions, Promotions and Reclassifications }
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the County for the Board of Jefferson
County Commissioners to formally document guidelines which describe current and past
practice for how departments are to budget for replacement positions, new positions, promotions
and reclassifications; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the County to have written guidelines to
explain the various processes in order to prevent potential misunderstandings and to insure that
all County Departments know how position additions or changes affecting the budget will be
managed; and
WHEREAS, the County Administrator, Elected Officials and Department
Directors have reviewed the guidelines; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Jefferson County
Commissioners that the guidelines for budgeting for replacement positions, new positions,
promotions and reclassification is hereby adopted for use by all Jefferson County Departments.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this policy is incorporated as part of the
Jefferson County Personnel Administration Manual.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this `4f day 2014.
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Carolyn Avery, Deput�rClerk of the Board
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Chair
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Guidelines for Budgeting and Replacement of Positions
* *Note: Where "base budget" is referred to in the guidelines below, it refers to General Fund Departments only.
Otherwise, these guidelines apply to all departments.
1. Budgeting for Union positions — Step increases, General Wage Adjustments (COLAs) and wage
tables will be reflected in the salary schedule and budgeted as to adopted collective bargaining
agreements (CBAs). If there is no CBA in place, the wage table shall be the same as the prior
year's, and only step increases and longevity will be reflected as increases in the salary
schedule for budgeting, unless otherwise directed by the County Commissioners.
2. Budgeting for Exempt positions — Step increases will be calculated in the salary schedule and
budgeted as such, unless otherwise directed by the County Commissioners. COLA increases
will be calculated in salary schedules and budgeted consistent with a budget resolution adopted
by the County Commissioners each year.
3. Budgeting for Steps — Budgets will reflect step increases as per union agreements. Unfilled
positions should be budgeted at Step 1 of the current grade of the position. Reductions in costs
by replacing a higher step employee with a lower step employee reduces the base budget for
that department. However, if a position is replaced mid -year with a lower step employee, any
savings in that position, compared to the adopted budget, may be retained by the department in
that year only. The following years' base budget will be calculated with the new employee at
their actual step.
4. Filling vacant positions — Vacant positions are typically hired at Step 1 of the current grade of
the position. If hiring at a higher step is proposed, the department should provide the funding
within their existing base budget for that first year. In future years, the base budget will reflect
the position's actual step including annual step advancement. If a department proposes to hire
at a starting step that is more than 5% above Step 1, it has significant budget impacts, and is
subject to County Administrator approval, and must be obtained prior to making an offer to the
candidate. Except as previously noted, internal employee transfers or promotions, shall be
handled pursuant to the policies outlined in the Jefferson County Personnel Administration
Manual.
5. Promotions or Reclassifications raising the grade of a position not part of career ladder - If a
higher grade is proposed for a position that is not part of a career ladder, this is considered as a
request to increase the base budget, and is subject to approval through the annual budget
adoption or separate County Administrator approval and availability of sustainable funding. The
following backup information is requested for all proposed grade increases not part of a career
ladder:
a. Show an on -going revenue source to fund the increase in current and future years (e.g.
funding it within the existing base budget, demonstrating new revenues, or justifying an
increased allocation from the General Fund or other county fund).
b. Attach a new organizational chart for the department highlighting the proposed change
subject to approval by the County Administrator.
c. Provide a justification for the proposed change, and describe how it relates to equity
within the department and /or the County.
d. For proposed promotions or reclassifications of a current employee, attach
documentation showing the employee meets the minimum requirements and
qualifications of the new grade per Jefferson County Personnel Policy Section 11.1,
items i. through iv. below:
i. Any documented requirement of an employee to increase their level of formal education.
ii. The requirement to substantially increase one's level of supervision over other employees.
iii. Any substantial change in an employee's exposure to personal liability because of actions
taken in the course of their employment.
iv. Such other criteria as is deemed in the County's interest by the Board of County
Commissioners.
(Note: If grade change is part of a career ladder, only a payroll change form is required.)
6. Adding a new position — Submit Position Request Form and the following:
a. Show an on -going revenue source to fund the increase in current and future years (e.g.
funding it within the existing base budget, demonstrating new revenues, or justifying an
increased allocation from the General Fund or other county fund).
b. Attach a new organizational chart for the department highlighting the proposed change.
The new organization chart showing the new position is subject to review and approval by the
County Administrator.
7. Lowering the grade of a position - If a General Fund department reorganizes and lowers the
grade of a position resulting in savings, only the difference between the old grade and the new
grade - both measured at step 1 - may be retained by the department in future base budgets.
(" See also note below)
Example: A senior employee is retiring from an existing position at Grade 16, Step 11 (Salary
$30,000). The salary for the existing Grade 16 position at step 1 is $20,000. The
department lowers the grade of the position to Grade 12, Step 1 (Salary $16,000).
Savings Retained by Department:
Both positions measured at step 1
Existing Position at: Grade 16, Step 1, $20,000
New Position at: Grade 12, Step 1, $16,000
Grade Difference: $4,000 (Amount retained by department in future
base budgets. Step 11 — Step 1 for Grade 16
savings of $10,000 go back to the General Fund)
8. Eliminating a position - If a General Fund department eliminates a position resulting in savings,
the savings will be measured from step 1 of the position and the savings may be retained by the
department in future base budgets. ( "See also note below)
Example: Department eliminates an existing position which is at Grade 16, Step 11 (Salary
$30,000). The salary for the existing Grade 16 position at step 1 is $20,000.
Savings Retained by Department:
Measured at step 1
Existing Position at: Grade 16, Step 1, $20,000 (Amount retained by
department in future base budgets. Step 11 — Step
1 for Grade 16 savings of $10,000 go back to the
General Fund)
`Note: For #'s 7 and 8: 1) If a position is eliminated or replaced with a lower grade position
mid -year, all savings may be retained by the department within that year and future base
budgets will reflect savings as noted above; and 2) If a grade of a position is lowered or a
position is eliminated as a result of a required budget reduction, all savings may go to the
General Fund as necessary to meet the reduction goal.
Consent Agenda
Commissioners Office
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Philip Morley, County Administrator
Erin Lundgren, Clerk of the Board
DATE: January 6, 2014
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. _ re: Documenting Guidelines for Budgeting for
Replacement Positions, New Positions, Promotions and Reclassifications
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
The proposed guidelines formally document and describe current and past practice for managing replacement
positions, new positions, promotions and reclassifications that have a budgetary effect. The guidelines will
provide direction to County Departments and will help prevent potential misunderstandings in dealing with
future additions and changes to positions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
Approve and sign the resolution.
REVIEWED BY:
®1�oz
Philip Mdrlgy 'County Administ_rator> Date