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making over $50,000 and to divide the $344,952 pool of money among the balance of the employees through the 2% and 2% plan -ecommended by Administrator Chandler. MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Scurlock, SECONDED by Commissioner Bowman, that the Board authorize that the budget amount of $344,952 be distributed in increases to those -employees making under $50,000. Under discussion, Commissioner Bird expressed his concern about keeping his word because he did say that he would not be in favor of a step increase. However, now that he understands that the $344,952 budgeted amount would be the same for any alternative, he could support Administrator Chandler's recommendation. Commissioner Tippin preferred to abstain from voting on this matter since today is his first meeting, but after Attorney Vitunac advised that he is required to vote, he stated he would have to depend on the Administrator's recommendation. Purchasing Director Jack Price pointed out that when the pay progression plan was put in place in 1990 it was to provide some assurances for our non -contract employees. The pay progression plan is as close as those people get to the protection of a union contract and it is very important. For example, we have a contract with the fire fighters that provides a 5% general increase* in October, a 5% step increase and the addition of a 5% longevity increase, and none of those commitments are being tampered with. Since we are considering going from 5% to 2% on the step increases, he felt we are taking some serious risks if we are going to consider holding off on the step program altogether. Of the 103 people who are topped out, his quick count shows that 30 are in Road & Bridge and non -management jobs. Seventy are somewhere else. Administrator Chandler wished to clarify that with the fire fighters' contract, no individual will get a 15% increase. There is a 5% increase across the board. There is a step plan and there is a longevity plan. If an employee is qualified, he will either get the step plan increase or the longevity increase depending on where they are at. Commissioner Scurlock emphasized that he wasn't talking about ° eliminating steps. He just would like to see the Board set a cap at $50,000 and apply the pool of funds to the remaining employees based on the Administrator's recommendation. He advised that people in the community have commented to him that they feel top level government salaries have gotten out of range. Vice Chairman Bowman understood that an employee making $15, 000 and not at the top of his range would receive a 2% step 37 L_SFP 1' 5 1992 BOOK 87 PAGE 562