Employees worry about wages as county mulls cost cutting

BROOKSVILLE -- The notion that Hernando County commissioners might balance next year's budget at the expense of their employees has not gone unnoticed among the staff of about 800.

Word has come back to commissioners through department heads that several workers have complained about a recommendation that might delay or kill pending pay-scale adjustments to save $215,000. "They feel like they're getting the runaround again, even though the board has not decided whether they're going to implement the Mercer study or not," said Parks Director Pat Fagan, referring to the ongoing study that will determine whether employees are paid fair market salaries. "I informed four of the five board members about that situation (Tuesday)."

Commissioners said they have heard rumblings of union activity, although they could not confirm whether any organization has begun. Several employees interviewed said they had no information about the issue.

Board members expressed a desire to protect employees from the budget ax to the extent possible.

"It's a big concern, and obviously I think that they should get the 5 percent (raises) and I think they should get the Mercer," Commissioner Diane Rowden said.

Commissioner Betty Whitehouse said that the workers who stand to gain the most from adjusting the pay scale are at the lowest salary levels. She said that many workers feel cheated because the county's previous pay-scale improvements were not fully implemented.

Delaying the changes is not in the county's best interest, Whitehouse said.

Neither did she back the notion of reducing raises, stating that it costs more to train new workers than to pay a decent wage to people already on the job. But Whitehouse did suggest eliminating cost-of-living raises in favor of merit pay, "So we are rewarding at the highest level the employees who are doing the best job for the county."

Commissioner Mary Aiken said a review of raises by nearby governments showed more 2 percent and 3 percent increases than 4 and 5 percent.

"If there was some way I could cut back, I would do it on my own salary," Aiken said. "But I wouldn't want to be the only one."

She called herself "pro-union."

"Always have been," Aiken said. "But I think it's a threat. As I've spoken to the employees, I didn't notice too many that were suffering from low morale. That's a very sticky subject."

Employees should wait until the board makes its final budget decisions before taking any action, Chairwoman Nancy Robinson said. Commissioners told Budget Director George Zoettlein on Tuesday to incorporate a list of budget adjustments into the fiscal 2003 plans, she said, and the Mercer study delay is listed only as "possible."

The plan includes 5 percent raises for all employees, she added. Much depends on final property values, interest income and a host of other factors.

Possible savings include eliminating several parks improvement projects, about $1-million in reserves and all new programs except for one spot in technology services; a reduction in charitable contributions; and shifting the revenue source for residential road improvements. The commission also tentatively asked for a 40 cent tax rate increase to pay for growing public safety needs.

Longer term, the county is looking at increasing the gas tax and Transportation Trust Fund tax rate to support the road paving program and a stormwater assessment program to pay for stormwater management projects.

"The board basically gave direction to Mr. Zoettlein," Robinson said. "Obviously, he is to prepare the budget. If the board will want to stay on that position, I don't know."

Budget workshops are scheduled for the week of July 22. The commission must adopt its budget before Oct. 1.

-- Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Hernando County government and can be reached at 754-6115. Send e-mail to solochek@sptimes.com.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright