2007-04-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 ranges, State employees will receive 3% plus 1% from the Governor’s budget;. U. Va. faculty will receive 4%; U. Va. general employees will receive 3% plus 1%; and Fluvanna, Henrico and valley employees will receive 4%. He said that a national survey of private businesses showed that employees received an average increase of 4% in 2006. Dr. Brown said that discussions have been held with Department Heads about the difficulty they have had in recruiting for certain positions and the need to be moderately competitive. Responding to a question from Mr. Lynch, Mr. O’Connell said that the public safety piece is a compression issue. Mr. Lynch suggested keeping the market adjustment funding and cutting the 4% across the board increase. Mr. Taliaferro said we need to look at surrounding jurisdictions as people will go where the money is. Ms. Hamilton expressed concern about employee morale, especially with the School employees getting close to a 7% increase. She expressed concern about balancing the budget on City employees when they can jump to other jurisdictions. Mr. Norris said that given the cost of living in Charlottesville he does not think we are overpaying employees. He said he wants to attract the best and the brightest. Dr. Brown agreed with Mr. Norris. Dr. Brown suggested that a report be prepared for next year’s budget. He noted that people are not taking City jobs as career jobs as they used to which means we have to compete more. Mr. Lynch suggested looking at the EMS money proposed for next year. He said the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS) and the Fire Department have shown good faith in working together, and he thinks we can do something a lot cheaper than proposed. He said CARS has ambulances but they do not have enough crews and staff. Ms. Hamilton said she understood that the money for the EMS proposal was one time money. Dr. Brown asked how the proposal will fit in with the proposed oversight committee. Mr. Taliaferro said he envisions leaving the money in the budget until the study is done. He said it is possible that the proposal could change or even not do it at all. Mr. O’Connell said that the draft Fire study is saying that the Charlottesville- Albemarle area needs more ambulances and staff. Mr. O’Connell said that half of the cost of the proposal is proposed to be funded by a billing arrangement, and if billing does not happen then additional money will need to be found. Mr. Taliaferro said he thinks billing is going to happen. Dr. Brown asked if billing is included in the budget, and Mr. O’Connell said yes, a half a year’s worth. He said the proposal includes the initial start-up cost and part of a year of service and billing. He said it gives flexibility to do something in January and leaves time to work through the system issues. He said if money is taken out of the budget the City will not be able to act. Dr. Brown said he agrees with Mr. Lynch and asked if there is a way to put in $500,000 which he feels would be a great way to get started. He said he would like to assure that Council authorizes the expenditure of any funds.