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Utilities Director Erik Olson explained that this item was brought back for <br />clarification. He provided background by recapping his memorandum of August 23, 2007. He <br />recommended that the employee who currently oversees this facility not lose his job, but be <br />transferred to another facility as a wastewater operator. He noted that there would be a financial <br />impact to said employee. <br />Director Olson responded to questions from the Board regarding the transfer and <br />salary cut of the subject employee. Administrator Baird announced that a slot has been found for <br />the individual, but said individual would now earn $5,000.00 less. <br />Steve Myers, Teamster Local Union 769, appealed to the board to reject the Change <br />Order to Synagro, because the County would be circumventing the bidding process by allowing <br />Synagro to include this in their current Purchase Order. He suggested that instead of moving the <br />current Chief Operator into the vacant position that now exists, they eliminate the vacant position <br />and allow the current employee to run the new facility, which would give the County a net savings <br />of about $48,000.00. <br />Administrator Baird addressed the issues of operating costs, cost savings, and a <br />freeze on vacant positions. <br />After considerable discussions and debate regarding privatization, operating costs, <br />and the fate of the subject employee, Commissioners moved to disapprove staffs <br />recommendations. <br />Motion WAS MADE by Commissioner Flescher, <br />SECONDED by Commissioner O'Bryan, to disapprove <br />staff s recommendation. <br />More discussions ensued regarding ramifications, if any; the cost difference of using <br />the employee versus the contractor; and the anticipated cost if the matter is delayed for about seven <br />(7) months. <br />September 11, 2007 29 <br />