Human Resources Committee

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE Monday, August 2, 2021 10:00 a.m. Municipal Complex, Council Chambers 100 Ann Edwards Lane, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 MINUTES PRESENT: Brenda Corley, Chair; Kathy Landing ABSENT: Guang Ming Whitley STAFF PRESENT: Eric DeMoura, Town Administrator 1. Call to order Ms. Corley called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m. 2. Approval of Minutes from the July 6, 2021 meeting Ms. Landing moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Ms. Corley. All present voted in favor. 3. Public Comments Carl Ritchie stated he would like to speak on the Wage and Classification study. He said he was very appreciative of everything the Town has provided for him and he loved every minute of the 32 years he served. Mr. Ritchie said First Responders do not get into the profession solely for the money, but they do need to be compensated with a fair and competitive wage. He said he had the opportunity to participate in the last Wage and Compensation study and he along with other executive command staff mentioned to the interviewer that comparing the Town’s First Responders to those from surrounding agencies and other parts of the state was not a true and fair comparison. Mount Pleasant First Responders deliver superior performance in a manner that is distinctive and impactful to each person served and that establishes a standard for quality that endures for generations. Mr. Ritchie said that is the Town’s Mission Statement and that is exactly the caliber of professional service provided by our men and women in uniform every single day. In neighboring communities, there are daily shootings, homicide, the rise of violence and Mount Pleasant is not  Human Resources Committee August 2, 2021 Page 2 of 5 experiencing that thanks to our police department, who by the way, make the same or less than those in cities that are not as safe or receiving the superior service our First Responders provide. Mr. Ritchie said the Town requires an associate’s degree to become entry level police officer. The Town does provide an incentive for obtaining a bachelor’s degree, but after that there is no incentive for further education. Mr. Ritchie said the retiree health insurance is excellent, but if an employee is hired at age 18 and works for 30 years, they are only 48 when they are ready to retire and they will not receive the retiree health insurance benefit. Mr. Ritchie said when he retired after serving 32 years and keeping the same insurance, the cost has tripled. He said he appreciates the benefit but wanted to share that information. He thanked the Committee Members for their service. 4. Update regarding the Town’s Wage and Classification Study Mr. DeMoura stated every Council has always aspired to competitive pay, excellent benefits, and good working conditions, and that has never wavered or changed. The working conditions and benefits are excellent. As to competitive pay, that is always something that Council has stood behind, and each of the last three strategic plans have required that the Town undertake a Wage and Classification study to make sure we stay current and competitive. Mr. DeMoura stated Council has implemented the results of the last three studies. There was one in 2012, in 2016, and another done in 2020. He said the results of the 2020 Wage and Classification study were in the budget for consideration as COVID hit and many of the important sectors we rely on for revenue were under extreme pressure. He said at that time the prudent move was made to hold on the implementation of that study until we knew when the economy was coming back and how much it would come back. Mr. DeMoura said about thirty days ago, an update to the Wage and Classification study was initiated and he expects to have the results to Council for consideration in October. Mr. DeMoura noted that although the Wage and Classification study recommendation could not be implemented, Council did implement serious improvements to the benefits, changes to vacation accruals, adding a holiday and some other things that extended access to health care that was not available to everyone. In addition to changes in benefits, Council also approved a one-time bonus to employees. Mr. DeMoura said when it comes to pay, benefits, and working conditions the Town has an excellent track record,  Human Resources Committee August 2, 2021 Page 3 of 5 it is an excellent place to work, and the update to the Wage and Classification study should be available in October. Ms. Landing said during the pandemic, no one was furloughed but there was a hiring freeze in place. Ms. Landing asked if it was fair to say we were working with the 2016 Wage and Classification Study and Mr. DeMoura responded in the affirmative. Ms. Landing asked if the study was brought to Council in October when it would be implemented. Mr. DeMoura said it could be implemented immediately, and the update would be complete in late September, reviewed at the Staff level and ready for Council consideration in October. Mr. DeMoura said some positions have changed and that is why it was important to update the study. Mr. DeMoura stated not only have some positions changed, but it helps employees to complete the update because of the pressure on wages. Ms. Landing asked if the one-time bonus was included in what was earned last year when looking at comparisons. Mr. DeMoura said it would be included in what was earned but it will not be a factor in determining the competitive wage for positions. Ms. Landing said separate from the Wage and Classification study is the annual raise, which this past year was four percent and would be divided up depending on how things go with the budget. Ms. Landing asked if the first increase of two percent started in July and Mr. DeMoura responded in the affirmative. Ms. Landing asked if the other two percent could be given sooner rather than later if we see that things are going well. Mr. DeMoura said that is the plan, that Business License revenue is the key target and that is analyzed weekly. He said the moment it looks like it is coming in at a level that is acceptable to support the remaining two percent, that increase will be released. Mr. DeMoura said if positive information is received this month, the increase could be released this month. Ms. Corley asked about the staffing situation, if employees were leaving to go to other entities. Mr. DeMoura said in departments that have competition with the private sector, it could be tough to retain employees. CDL drivers, attorneys, accountants, engineers are such positions. He stated sometimes employees are lost on the public side to other agencies, but delivering quality services is not being compromised.  Human Resources Committee August 2, 2021 Page 4 of 5 Ms. Corley asked about the federal funding and if it would be possible to find a way to reward those employees who were on the front line during COVID. Mr. DeMoura said we are already working on a plan for the American Rescue Plan Act funds, and what that could look like if Council deems it appropriate. Mr. DeMoura said they are targeting employees that were working either in an extraordinary way to keep things going or in direct contact with the public during that time. Ms. Corley asked if Council would have a say in the determining factors. Mr. DeMoura said Staff would develop a draft but ultimately it would be Council’s decision. Ms. Landing said the cost of living in Mount Pleasant is much higher, and that puts the Town at risk of losing employees who live in other communities to agencies that are closer with a similar wage so that they do not have to commute to Mount Pleasant. She asked if there is a way to look at the cost of living specific to housing. Mr. DeMoura responded in the affirmative stating there are multiple ways to address that. He said we are currently dealing with a five-generation work force now, and each generation has their own needs. He stated administration is working with Human Resources to find ways that support employees at whatever stage in life they are at, and it is in conceptual stages, and may ultimately be unaffordable. Whether it be student debt or an employee taking on a mortgage. He said there are ways where a benefits package could be developed that targets where someone is at in their life, but that will come with a price tag, and that will be shared when it is completed. Mr. DeMoura said we understand it is an issue and it complicates our ability to acquire qualified people, but we are trying to address it. Ms. Landing said Housing for All Mount Pleasant is working to have buyers be able to secure a mortgage without twenty percent down, and not having a private mortgage insurance fee which is very expensive. She said Mr. Ritchie had some great ideas through his personal experience and things he has seen over the years, and asked Mr. DeMoura if there is a way to address some of those issues such as thirty years of service, but not being old enough to receive the health insurance benefits. Mr. DeMoura stated we have looked at this many times over the years and expanding health insurance to a retiree in their forties is a very expensive proposition for the Town, but it can be done with an act of Council.  Human Resources Committee August 2, 2021 Page 5 of 5 Ms. Corley asked if benefits, vacation and comp time are included in the compensation study and Mr. DeMoura responded in the affirmative and that is why last year Council was able to implement several of the recommendations. Ms. Corley said she has never seen benefits like the Town offers to employees anywhere. Mr. DeMoura said last year when some of the recommendations were implemented, it used to be that only policemen or firefighters could receive health benefits at 55 when they retired, but that left off other more physical positions such as sanitation workers who had to wait until they were 60 or 62. He said by action of Council, the age was lowered to 55 which expanded that offering to other employees. Ms. Landing said because this is a topic that is not only essential, but is currently a hot topic, it would be beneficial to have a list of what was implemented as many Council Members have been contacted individually for interviews and we want to make sure that everyone knows the facts and that we are working hard to try and make this right and continuing to follow the mission statement while staying competitive with other communities. 5. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Christine Barrett Clerk of Council August 2, 2021