LEGISLATIVE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

January 7, 2004

A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners Personnel Committee was held on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Chairperson Rita Dale called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with a quorum present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Rita Dale, Chairperson, Earl Kay

MEMBERS ABSENT: Ted Postula

OTHERS PRESENT: Tim Dolehanty, County Controller, Brian Peppler, Prosecuting Attorney, and Sharon Kennedy, Register of Deeds/Equalization Director

Additions / Deletions to the Agenda

Chairperson Dale called for changes to the agenda. Discussion about the maintenance department structure was removed from the agenda, and the agenda was declared approved as amended.

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

Correspondence and Information Items

There were no correspondence or information items to be reviewed.

Agenda Item: Appointment to Legal Secretary I Position

Prosecuting Attorney Brian Peppler recommended appointment of Gail Tinker to the vacant Legal Secretary I position in his office. If approved, Ms. Tinker would transfer from the Equalization Department under provisions of the internal transfer policy.

It was moved by Commissioner Kay, seconded by Chairperson Dale, to recommend promotion of Gail Tinker to the vacant Legal Secretary I position in the Prosecuting Attorney's office following the provisions of the internal promotion policy. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

Data Entry I Position

Register of Deeds/Equalization Director Sharon Kennedy appeared before the Committee to discuss the Data Entry I position to be vacated by Gail Tinker. Ms. Kennedy proposed increasing the hours of the Equalization Department and Register of Deeds staff to 40 hours per week through June 1 as an alternative to filling the Data Entry I position. She stated funds are already budgeted in the Register of Deeds Automation Fund to cover that department, and funds currently budgeted for the Data Entry I position could be utilized to cover additional hours worked by Equalization Department staff. Controller Tim Dolehanty presented cost estimates for the proposal.

Chairperson Dale expressed concern about the department's ability to complete technical work required by the State. She stated it was a matter of principal as much as a fiscal matter.

Ms. Kennedy also asked about hiring a temporary employee during the planned sick leave of an employee in the Register of Deeds office. The Committee advised Ms. Kennedy to return with that proposal at a later date.

Mr. Dolehanty noted that the Union representing Equalization Department and Register of Deeds employees would have to receive a ten-day notice of any change in work schedule. He said that requirement would delay the start of any Board-approved adjustment to January 28. Mr. Dolehanty clarified benefits would continue to accrue at the normal 35-hour workweek rate.

It was moved by Commissioner Kay, seconded by Chairperson Dale, to recommend approval of the temporary 40-hour workweek for the Register of Deeds and Equalization Department staffs through June 1, 2004, as presented. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

Chairperson's Comments

The Chairperson had no additional comments.

Adjourn

Hearing no other comments, Chairperson Dale declared the meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.

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