Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 22, 1994 TAG: 9411220140
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Three midlevel county managers, speaking for their co-workers, asked the supervisors to attack turnover and declining morale by increasing pay. They pinpointed low pay, particularly at the bottom rungs of the scale, as contributing to heavy turnover in the data processing, recycling and other staffs.
The 140-member county staff got a 2 1/2 percent cost of living raise in the fiscal year that began July1. But that was the first one in four years. During that same period, the board twice denied regular step increases in the pay scale.
In fact, County Administrator Betty Thomas had recommended last winter that the board spend $70,000 to give employees a one-step salary adjustment. She also noted then that no money had been budgeted to bring the pay scale up to levels recommended by an independent consultant.
But the supervisors rejected the 4.5 percent one-step adjustment to save $10,000 and to keep the county more in line with what several board members considered to be trends in private industry.
Supervisors' Chairman Larry Linkous said later that the board is "very concerned" about the pay and turnover issues.
The three employee speakers - Grants Coordinator Cindy Martin, buildings and grounds Superintendent Steve Phillips and parks and recreation Director Tom Bain - took a low-key approach and deliberately did not publicize their request ahead of time.
"We are not a radical organization," Bain said. Though such requests are standard fare for the more than 600 county teachers and the School Board, this was the first time in at least 20 years that so many county government employees have turned out, said some longtime workers.
Bain asked specifically that the board:
Provide a 2 percent, across-the-board pay increase for county employees, effective Jan. 1, to "partially make up for a loss of a step increase this year." Linkous declined to comment on this request. He said he wanted to consult with other board members first.
Fully fund merit raises in the next fiscal year.
Fully evaluate the salary scale, which was prepared by a consultant four years ago.
Tackle the county salary scale issue early on in the months-long budget process, not at the last minute when it will compete for attention with other claims for tax money.
Phillips, who is responsible for the upkeep of the county courthouse and other buildings, likened the county pay scale to a maintenance schedule that needs to be followed to protect an important investment: in this case, county employees. Every time a county worker leaves for a better opportunity elsewhere, it costs the county money to train a replacement, and it burdens other county workers, Phillips said.
by CNB