HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-28-1998 Meeting
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ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE ROOM - December 28, 1998
2:00 P. M.
PRESENT: Hons. Lany E. Sconyers, Mayor; H. Brigham, Chairman; Powell,
Vice-Chairman; Beard and Shepard, members; Walter Hornsby, Asst. Administrator; Jim
Wall, Attorney; John Etheridge, Human Resources Director; Moses McCauley, Human
Resources Department; Jerry Sau~ Tax Commissioner; North Williamson, Tax
Commissioner's Office; Lena Bonner, Clerk of Commission and Nancy Morawski,
Deputy Clerk of Commission.
Also Present: Stacey Eidson of The Metropolitan Spirit, Sylvia Cooper of The
Augusta Chronicle and Hons. Colclough, Bridges and J. Brigham, Commissioners.
The Clerk: We have a request for two additions.
Mr. Beard: I so move.
Mr. Powell: Second.
Motion adopted unanimously.
A request to approve the petition for retirement on Charles T. Fordham, was
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read.
Mr. Etheridge: Everything is in order.
Mr. Beard: I so move.
Mr. Shepard: Second.
Motion adopted unanimously.
A request to create Administrative Assistant I position (Grade 44) and a
Secretary III position (Grade 37); abolish the Executive Secretary I positions
(Grade 43) and two Messenger positions, was read.
Mr. Powell: I so move.
Mr. Shepard: Second.
Mr. Mayor: What will happen to the Executive Secretary?
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Mr. Wall: Lori and Randy met with her about two weeks ago and that's been
followed up with a letter. If the position is abolished and this is approved, then she
becomes eligible for retirement, but she's not required to take retirement. Or she will be
offered another position within the County in some other vacancy. I have not heard back
from her on that. We've offered to furnish a list of the vacancies that are available.
Mr. Mayor: Would she receive the same percentage of retirement if she stayed
another two years?
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Mr. Wall: No. It would be less because an additional two years would give her
an increased level of retirement. I don't know the dollar amounts.
Mr. Mayor: If she takes another job as a Secretary in the government, will she be
guaranteed the same salary as she has now?
Mr. Wall: INot nrcessarilY, no.
Mr. Mayor: To If>llow up on that, your retirement is based on the last three years
and she could potentiall~ take a decrease then, couldn't she?
Mr. Wall: poten~ally she could have a decrease in the retirement benefits if she
goes to a lesser paying position, that's true.
Mr. Powell: I'd like to withdraw my motion pending I need some more
information on this matter before I vote on it.
Mr. Shepard If he withdraws it, I'll make the motion.
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Mr. Chairman: I'd second it to get it to the floor ofthe Commission so that it can
be discussed and those questions the Mayor has asked and the explanations can be
brought to the full group.
Mr. Beard: I would hope the points the Mayor brought up can be discussed at the
meeting. I think we need more information concerning what will happen to the present
secretary .
Mr. Shepard: That is the intent of the motion to move it forward to show some
respect both for the current Executive Secretary and some cooperation and deference to
the new administration and the way he wants to organize his office.
Mr. Chairman: Randy should be able to follow up with some of these questions
before next Tuesday, that's the main thing.
Mr. Wall: Lori may have the dollar amounts and some of this may be iffy
because you don't know what positions are open, whether or not she were to fill those
positions at what salary range, etc. but the real potential is there that it would affect
depending on when she retired.
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Mr. Beard: Anybody who has worked that long in the government needs to be
given all due consideration.
Mr. Etheridge: Mr. Oliver has all the figures because I provided him with that
prior to this.
Mr. Powell: I have no problem with the new administration making the necessary
changes that they feel will fit into their structure better, however, I would like to have that
information prior to the meeting. I want it prior to meeting where I could make a
decision to be fair to all parties.
Mr. Wall: We'll get that to you in the book.
Motion adopted unanimously.
A request to approve reclassifying three positions in the Oerk of Superior
Court Department, was read.
Mr. Powell: I so move.
Mr. Shepard: Second.
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Motion adopted unanimously.
A request to add Human Resource Coordinator I position and delete HR
Coordinator II position, was read.
Mr. Beard: I so move.
Mr. Shepard: Second.
Motion adopted unanimously.
A request to consider reclassifying four positions in the Tax Commissioner's
Office, was read.
Mr. Powell: I so move.
Mr. Chairman: I'd second it to get it on the floor for discussion.
Mr. Beard: I hadn't seen any information on this before today and I'd like to see
us defer it to the next meeting.
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After further discussion, Mr. Shepard: Are you presenting that as a substitute
motion to defer action until the next meeting, Mr. Beard?
Mr. Beard: Yes, I'll do that.
Mr. Shepard: And I'll second it.
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Motion adopted unanimously.
At this time Mr. James Florida appeared before the Committee.
Mr. Florida: Last year you gave me a retroactive pay raise under the retirement
plan and there was a lot of discussion about it. They did initiate a portion of it but there
is stil1 77 months that should be retroactive pay, and the reason I'm asking for that is
since I did get that first portion, I've had a heart catherization, my heart is doing very
poorly, I now have diabetes and I've spent time in the hospital with pneumonia.
Mr. Shepard: I'm sympathetic with Mr. Florida and I make a motion that this be
referred to the Attorney and to the Personnel Director for an opinion to be rendered as to
whether we have an additional liability with Mr. Florida or not.
Mr. Beard: Second.
Mr. Powell: Would you consider an amendment to bring it back within a certain
amount of time?
Mr. Shepard: I would say we could bring it back by the next Conunittee meeting.
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Motion adopted unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Lena 1. onner
Clerk of ommission
NWM
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