Mayor's Employee Council
June 23, 2009
Meeting Summary
 

Members Attending:  Carol Boyd, Tarrus Crews, Beverly Crockett, Gregg Fortunato, Debra Louis, Bill Robillo, Della Sheffield, Anthony Smith, Tonia Wilks, Rosiland Williamson (Substituting for Deborah Davis-Williamson), Sam Murrell (Substituting for Errol Edingbourgh), Kantharuben Moodley (Substituting for Stacy Taylor)

Members Absent:  Ron Benson, Taft Bradley, David Cowan, Donna Henderson-Braden, Deborah Davis-Williamson, Errol Edingbourgh, Minnie McCray, Stacy Taylor

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

Review of Previous Issues (April 16 Meeting):

(Cost Saving Ideas to be Investigated):

• There was a suggestion to use more inmate labor for cleaning, and yard work.   
  Update: The costs associated with using inmate labor are transportation and security that must be provided by the areas using inmate labor.  The Correction Center does provide training for employees in different departments to supervise inmates, but many departments do not have the additional personnel to supervise.  (Walter Crews)
      
• An employee suggested selling vacant property owned by the County. 
  Update: There is a Real Estate Department in Support Services that concentrates on selling vacant property.  Sales come before the Commission for approval at each meeting.
   
• An employee suggested issuing a RFP for court reporters.  Using one company for the multiple areas requiring court reporters could result in a cheaper rate for all areas.  Update:  Purchasing would not have a problem with this; however, attorneys are very selective about the court reporters they work with.  It would be necessary to survey the attorneys to get their feedback before moving forward with the suggestion. (Clifton Davis)  
  
• It was suggested that the County Attorney's Office take over the $8,000 contract HR has to represent them on employment hearings. 
  Update:  The contract is more than representation at state unemployment hearings.  They primarily provide specialized accounting for unemployment benefit claims.  Hearing representation is a small fraction of the contract.  The County Attorney's Office will become more involved with hearings when the new contract is in place within the next 45 days. (Mike Lewis) 
   
• Most of the accidents employees have in County vehicles are minor fender benders that appear to be carless driving such as backing into another car.  Determine how to make the employees more accountable for their driving. 
  Update: The Sheriff's Office has a well defined procedure for handling and administering discipline related to vehicle operation as do other departments. (Mike Lewis)
   

 Issues/Suggestions:

• An employee wanted to know why Shelby County employees cannot get hospitalization insurance with AFLAC. 
  Response: The next time the County bids the voluntary insurance programs they will request quotes for individual hospitalization policies along with other types of voluntary plans, i.e. vision.  The time for the next bidding has not been set. (Brenda Greene) 
  
• An employee wanted to know the status of Flex Leave. 
  Response: An alternative PTO plan presented by a County Commissioner is currently under review and may move forward in the next 30 days. (Mike Lewis)
   

The Mayor opened the meeting and welcomed the employees substituting for Council members who were unable to attend and asked the members for their ideas/suggestions.

• An employee wanted to know when Retirement would offer seminars on the retirement plans. 
  Response: Retirement will be asked if any are scheduled, and the dates will be made available.
  The Mayor discussed the Pension Plan and the impact the economy has had on it.  Before the downturn of the economy, it was funded at 104%.  The fund did lose, but is currently at $750 million and is considered sound.
  
• In one department employees were asked to complete forms related to when they expect to retire.  The employee wanted to know if employees in other departments had to supply the same information.
  Response:  This was specific to one department because of the large number of employees that will be eligible to retire in a few months.
  
• An employee asked if there was a date to implement flex leave and would it be reviewed by employees before it is made effective.
  Response: It is expected to be introduced by the Commission in mid- to late July.  Although input from employees has already been taken into consideration with any new policy, they will again be allowed to comment.  Additionally, the final draft will come before the UPPC for consideration.
  
• There was a question if the County should expect to see a large number of layoffs in next year's (2010-2011) budget.
  Response: This year the original proposal was to layoff 100 people but the final count was 21.  In addition 78 funded positions were taken out of the budget, and the hiring freeze remains in effect.  Earlier in the year 31 positions were cut from Division of Planning and a number of Engineering employees lost their jobs.  It is questionable that more positions could be eliminated without decreasing or eliminating services.
  
• There was a rumor that flex time would be added onto the June 24 Commission General Government committee agenda. 
  Response: This is not expected to come before the Commission until mid-July.  The Commission will be considering privatizing food services at Corrections at the June 24 committee meetings. If the resolution passes, it is expected that the majority of the current employees would be hired by the private company.  Their salaries and benefits would be expected to change. 
  
• There was another rumor that maintenance/housekeeping will be outsourced at the Health Department.
  Response: No discussions have taken place with Administration on this issue, but it will be investigated and reported back to the Council.
   
• Food inspectors at the Health Department have concerns that the State will be taking over the service. 
  Response: During the budget planning, there were discussions about what areas of the Health Department are mandated.  Currently the State is required to provide food inspection services and the State contracts with the local Health Department to provide the service.  Since the Health Department has been fully funded for the next budget year, this is not an issue.
  

Jim Huntzicker updated the Council on the budget.  The expected tax rate is $4.02, but it must have two more readings by the Commission before approved.  He also updated the Council on MSARC.  The County has negotiated to transfer the service from the city to the county.  Currently it is fully staffed.  It is unclear if the children will continue to be seen at LeBonherur or MSARC.  Grants cover the number of people being served and the remainder if the funding will come from the County.
 
In the new budget, $500,000 has been allocated for process engineering studies.  Consultants will study work flows and operations of different departments to determine if there are better ways of doing the work.  It is expected that General Sessions Court Clerk Office will be the first area studied and the Health Department second.  Council members should let Jim Huntzicker know of areas they suggest being included in the studies.