IFLS Personnel Committee #049(14)
INDIANHEAD FEDERATED LIBRARY SYSTEM
Personnel Committee
September 24, 2014
M I N U T E S
The Personnel Committee of the Indianhead Federated Library System met on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at Indianhead Federated Library System, 1538 Truax Blvd., Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Mike Norman called the meeting to order at 10:37 a.m.
QUORUM AND CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE
WITH OPEN MEETINGS LAW:
A quorum was present and Joanne Gardner certified that the meeting had been properly noticed in compliance with the open meeting law.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Marilyn Holte (Chippewa County); Lyle Lieffring (Rusk County); Mike Norman (Pierce County); Linda Thompson (Barron County).
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Jan Daus (Eau Claire County); Jean Schlieve (Eau Claire County).
OTHERS PRESENT:
John Thompson (Director); Joanne Gardner (Administrative Assistant/Recorder).
APPROVE AGENDA:
MOTION #39(14): To approve the agenda as presented. Lieffring/Holte
RESULT: Carried.
CITIZEN COMMENTS:
There were no citizen comments.
MINUTES:
MOTION #40(14): To approve the Personnel Committee Minutes dated July 23, 2014
(Doc. #034-14). Holte/L. Thompson
RESULT: Carried.
REVIEW OF COMPILATION OF DIRECTOR EVALUATION
COMMENTS/EVALUATION PROCESS:
MOTION #41(14): To accept the 2014 Director Evaluation Survey. L. Thompson/Holte
RESULT: Carried.
The committee noted that the comment section could be worded more generically to solicit comments that could be suggestions for improvement or positive experiences.
2015 WAGE AND BENEFIT RECOMMENDATION:
Thompson handed out a document created by Button and himself to explain the health care offerings and to balance out staffing.
IFLS staff has generally paid 10% of the costs for health insurance. Act 10 has changed the formula so that employees are now required to pay 12% of the average of qualified plans within the county. In 2014, the average of qualified plans allowed staff to continue to pay 10% of health care costs when in theory, based on the range, staff were not required to pay anything based on the state formula. Staff followed the IFLS policy of paying 10%.
Two qualified plans were dropped for 2015 which raises the average and staff would now be required to pay a minimum of 12% of the average cost for health insurance. Another caveat is that if staff wishes to stay with their current providers through WEA Trust, it results in staff paying 17.7% of the insurance premium.
Past practice reveals that the IFLS Board and Personnel Committee provide a comparable plan from when IFLS was its own group and would keep plans consistent for staff. WEA Trust provided for that consistency.
Thompson is proposing a staff wage increase of 2-3% in 2015 with staff being required to pay 12% to 17.7% of health insurance dependent on the chosen plan. Thompson also is recommending a wage adjustment for the MORE Administrator and the PC Support Specialist due to their added job responsibilities and to balance out similar positions within the salary structure.
Thompson noted that staff take-home pay is similar to that in 2008. Even with a 2-3% wage increase, it will not result in additional take-home pay.
Holte inquired about the 2-3% range for the wage increase. Thompson noted that it would be determined for each staff based on a number of factors including balancing out similar position compensation levels. It was suggested that the wage adjustments for the MORE Administrator and the PC Support Specialist be handled separately.
MOTION #42(14): To recommend to the IFLS Board a wage adjustment for the MORE
Administrator and PC Support Specialist. L. Thompson/Holte
RESULT: Carried.
MOTION #43(14): To recommend to the IFLS Board a 2-3% increase for all IFLS staff as
determined by the IFLS Director. L. Thompson/Holte
RESULT: Carried.
MOTION #44(14): To recommend to the IFLS Board that members participating in the
State’s health insurance coverage will pay the 12% of the average
qualified plan costs as required by the State. Staff members selecting a
Tier 1 qualified plan other than WEA Trust will pay 12% of the premium.
However, if IFLS staff members select their current WEA Trust provider
they will be paying 17.7% of the premium in 2015. Norman/L. Thompson
RESULT: Carried.
The committee noted that the goal is to keep peace within the organization and keep morale boosted. The Board is doing the best they can with the dollars available. An inquiry was voiced about the wage range of 2-3%. Thompson responded that the majority would receive a 3% increase and some positions would be between 2 and 3%. Thompson felt an across-the-board increase would further skew the wage structure. It is hoped the variation will help to even out the appropriate wage structure. Thompson noted that the wage increase of 2-3% is not strictly a cost-of-living adjustment. It allows the ability to retain staff and ensure the compensation levels for benefits and wages remains relatively consistent over time. Thompson has the breakdown of increases by position, if needed.
It was suggested that the committee make a separate motion as it would relate to the Director compensation for 2015.
MOTION #45(14): To go into closed session to consider matters relating to employment,
promotion, compensation or performance evaluation of any public
employee over which the Indianhead Federated Library System has
jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. L. Thompson/--
RESULT: Motion dies for lack of a second.
MOTION #46(14): To recommend to the IFLS Board a 3% wage increase for the IFLS
Director for 2015. Norman/L. Thompson
RESULT: Carried.
L. Thompson expressed a slight concern of issues with staff with the variation of a 2-3% wage increase. Thompson responded that there may be some concern raised, but the goal is to balance out the wage structure.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn at 11:30 am. Norman/Lieffring
______
Joanne Gardner, Recorder/Administrative Assistant
These minutes of the Personnel Committee are approved: o as printed.
o with corrections noted.
______
Presiding Officer Dated
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