Mayor's Employee Council
August 11, 2009
Meeting Summary
 

Members Attending:  Ron Benson, Carol Boyd, Donna Henderson-Braden, Beverly Crockett, Errol Edingbourgh, Gregg Fortunato,  Debra Louis, Minnie McCray, Bill Robillo, Della Sheffield, Anthony Smith, Stacy Taylor, Tonia Wilks

Members Absent:  Taft Bradley, Tarrus Crews, Deborah Davis-Williamson

Staff Attending:   James Huntzicker, CAO, Grace Hutchinson, Deputy Director A&F, Marcia Boyd, CAO Staff
 

Review of Previous Issues (June 23 Meeting):

• There was a rumor that maintenance/housekeeping will be outsourced at the Health Department. 
  Response:  Because of the loss of funding for the FY10 budget, the Health Department is evaluating cost effective measures. These include outsourcing services such as housekeeping.

 The Mayor and James Huntzicker chaired the meeting. 

Grace Hutchison announced to the Council that the recognition reception for years of service will be held in the near future.
  

• An employee expressed concerns from security guards at the Health Department.  They worked for an outside company that was bought out by another company and in the transition they failed to receive one week of pay.    
  Response:  Administration was recently made aware of the problem.  The contract with the company is through the Sheriff's office and it was suggested they contact that office to get resolution to the problem.
• An employee reported that several employees in her area are upset that the Commissioners are considering giving themselves a raise when employees have not received a raise in two years.  Response:  The Commissioners and Mayor have not received a raise in eight years and they only get a chance to change their salary every four years.  Employees should contact Commissioners directly to express their feelings.
• There was a question about the transition in county government if Mayor Wharton gets elected to city Mayor.  Response: The election is scheduled for October 15 and there is no run-off.  If Mayor Wharton wins the election, he would take the office as soon as possible and fulfill the two-year term.  That would leave a vacancy in the county Mayor’s office.  The position would be filled by the county Commission Chairman for 45 days.  The Commissioners would then elect the interim Mayor to fulfill the term until the regular election in August 2010.  There would be no special election.  It will take seven votes to elect the interim Mayor.  The Commission Chairman will not be allowed to vote and any Commissioners nominated will not be allowed to vote. 
• An employee reported that several employees in her area are upset that the Commissioners are considering giving themselves a raise when employees have not received a raise in two years.  Response:  The Commissioners and Mayor have not received a raise in eight years and they only get a chance to change their salary every four years.  Employees should contact Commissioners directly to express their feelings. 
• There was a question about the transition in county government if Mayor Wharton gets elected to city Mayor.
• A Council member wanted to know if the Mayor's Employee Council would continue to exist. Response: That would be decided by the interim Mayor.
• There was a question about receiving travel advances.  The policy states that if an employee took two or more trips in the past year, he must get a travel card and not be allowed to receive an advance.  The policy is being interpreted that if the employee has traveled two or more times in the past regardless of how many years ago, they must use a travel card and not receive an advance.  Response: This will be investigated and will be reported back to the Council.
• An employee wanted to know if there would be any retirement seminars scheduled soon. Response: There had been plans to offer sessions this fall, and this will be confirmed and reported back to the Council.  

 Jim Huntzicker discussed the financial report that had been presented to the Commissioners.  When the Mayor took office in 2002, the County had been spending capital funding at an average of $150 million per year and issuing long term debt to fund these expenditures. This resulted in the annual debt service cost to support the debt continuing to increase each year requiring ever increasing financial resources.  A portion of the borrowed money was being used for capital programs for the County, but the majority was for schools.  The total outstanding debt peaked at $1.83 billion.  Through refinancing and significantly reducing annual capital expenditures, the annual borrowing has been significantly decreased which has resulted in the annual  debt service costs to begin leveling out and decrease as reflected in this year's budget at $182 million per year from an anticipated $205 million in former projections.  Additionally, the bond ratings have been strengthened and the County has run an operating surplus every year.  As the debt service starts to trend downward, the money once required to pay the annual debt service costs can, in the future, be reallocated for operations and salaries.  Mayor Wharton commented on the sacrifices that had been required to get the debt under control over the past seven years and the role employees had played in that. He expressed his appreciation for the work they do and thanked them for their efforts.