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MAR 7 %994 <br />B16K 56 PACE 379. <br />Based on a more up-to-date comparison of Chief Water Plant <br />Operator salaries in other counties, Indian River is significantly <br />below other areas in terms of pay for this position. The median <br />income for a similar position in other counties is $17,633, or $600 <br />more than Indian River's maximum pay. Also, the salary survey is <br />of plants that utilize more conventional water treatment methods <br />and not the more sophisticated reverse osmosis treatment method. <br />Elevating this pay grade from its existing level 14 to the <br />proposed level 15 would allow the one effected person to receive a <br />pay increase equal to that received by other County employees last <br />fall. His salary is currently frozen. <br />In attempting to recruit experienced planners for the unfilled <br />positions in the Planning Department, the main obstacle the County <br />has encountered is the lack of competitive salaries. <br />The attached comparison shows the County's current pay range <br />for Planners I and II to be consistently below the neighboring <br />counties and our main competition. <br />The County has advertised several times in state newspapers <br />and trade journals. While there has been considerable interest in <br />the positions, invariably that interest goes away when the salary <br />range is discussed. The lack of adequate compensation is the pri- <br />mary reason the County has been unable to fill the three positions <br />that have been vacant since October. <br />If the pay grades are increased to the recommended levels, it <br />will be necessary to increase the salaries of two persons. The <br />increase would total $21,750 annually. <br />The persons to be -increased would be a Planner II and the re- <br />classification of the Zoning Specialist to Planner II to coincide <br />with his current duties and the increased responsibility of super- <br />vising all code enforcement activity. <br />The funds for these two salary increases are available in the <br />Planning budget. <br />RECOMMENDATION: Elevate the position of Chief Water Plant Operator <br />to pay grade 15. Elevate the position of Planner I to pay grade 16 <br />and elevate the position of Planner II to pay grade 19. <br />Administrator Wright stressed the importance of <br />upgrading the pay for planners, noting that department has <br />been finding it extremely difficult to recruit because they <br />are not competitive in salary. <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Lyons, <br />SECONDED by Commissioner Bowman, that the <br />Board approve the following position upgrades: <br />Chief Water Plant Operator to pay grade 15; <br />Planner I to pay grade 16; and Planner II to <br />pay grade 19. <br />92 <br />