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BOOK <br />with our eyes wide open because it will undoubtedly result in a <br />compression of those positions. If the Commission wishes us to <br />pursue that rather than the step program in this coming year, he <br />would suggest that we pursue some type of a bonus operation in <br />order to maintain some degree of integrity of the program that was <br />adopted in 1988. <br />Commissioner Scurlock emphasized that things have changed <br />since the 1980s. There has been a big elimination of middle <br />management jobs throughout the country and the private sector <br />already has adjusted. You don't enter the job market easily these <br />days, and when you do, it is not for $30,000 or $40,000 positions <br />as it was in the 1980s. The salaries in the private sector are not <br />what they were in the 1980s, and government is considered a good <br />place to work in the 1990s. <br />Commissioner Bird didn't disagree with Commissioner Scurlock's <br />philosophy, but wondered how we could make an adjustment in the <br />lower pay ranges before we adopt the final budget at the public <br />hearing today at 5:01 P.M. <br />Administrator Chandler advised that there is no problem in <br />adopting the budget this evening because the $344,952 reserved for <br />salary increases will stay the same. The adjustment to the lower <br />pay level positions could be implemented after October 1, 1992. <br />Vice Chairman Bowman asked if any employees at the top of <br />their range are working at minimum wage, and Administrator Chandler <br />advised that we have a considerable number of field employees, most <br />notably in Road & Bridge, who have been with the County for awhile <br />who are at the top of their range. The County is in compliance <br />with the minimum wage requirements. <br />Commissioner Scurlock asked how many of the division heads <br />were topped out in their range, and Administrator Chandler advised <br />that there were three -- Public Works Director Jim Davis, OMB <br />Director Joe Baird and Utilities Director Terry Pinto. There are <br />a couple of others who are approaching the top of their range. In <br />addition to those division heads, the following department heads <br />are topped off: Albert VanAuken, Ester Rymer, Beth Jordan, Ron <br />Brooks. <br />Commissioner Scurlock reiterated that his concern is with the <br />lower pay levels. When you are talking -about all those employees <br />making $50,000 a year plus at least $300 a month in family coverage <br />insurance and $275 a month car allowance, you have to consider that <br />they are making far greater than that. The County's benefit <br />package is substantial. <br />Vice Chairman Bowman agreed that we really need. to revisit the <br />pay scale for the lower level employees, and Commissioner Scurlock <br />repeated that his idea is to give no increases to those employees <br />36 <br />