BC 2006 01 23 REGULAR - Laserfiche WebLink

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January 23, 2006 - Regular Meeting Page 476 UPON MOTION of vice Chairman Juba, seconded by Commissioner Privette and unanimously carried, the Board authorized the County Manager to secure the additional office space in the shopping center that houses the Human Services Center and execute a lease for the additional 2,800 square feet of space, subject to review by the County Attorney. (G-7) Review of Employee Pay Plan Don Cummings, Human Resources Director, reported the Board had brought up some issues regarding the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and merit plan during a Fiscal Year 2006 budget session. He reviewed the current Personnel Management Program, which was implemented in 1994, and includes a COLA based on the consumer price index (CPI) for the prior year with the adjustment rounded down to the nearest one-half percent, a market comparison of salaries every two years and a performance reward or merit system. Mr. Cummings compared the current plan with the five options that had been developed along with the administrative, programming and employee impact associated with each option. He stated the current system has worked well for the County and has helped to recruit and retain the quality employees that provide services to the residents of Cabarrus County. Finally, Mr. Cummings advised that the department directors recommend retaining the current policy. Commissioner Privette made a motion to adopt the current plan. Chairman Carruth stated a motion was not needed as the current Employee Pay Plan would stay in place if the Board took no action. (G-8) Public Comment Period POlicy Chairman Carruth presented a proposal to change that section of the Board's Rules of Procedure governing Informal Public Comments. He stated his intent was not to limit speech but to conduct the meetings in an orderly manner. He compared the existing policy that provided for a period of 15 minutes with the following proposed policy: The clerk to the board shall include on the agenda of each regular meeting of the month a period for comments from the public in attendance. A period of 30 minutes will be allotted for Informal Public Comments. In unusual circumstances, the Board may extend the Informal Public Comment period by 30 minutes upon a majority vote. Members of the Board of Commissioners will not answer questions or take action on matters raised by speakers during Informal Public Comment. If warranted, such matters will be pursued by staff or placed on a future agenda for the Board of Commissioners work session. The following rules shall govern this portion of the meeting: 1. Those desiring to speak must complete a "speaker's card, /I available in the Commissioners Meeting Room immediately preceding the meeting, and deliver it to the clerk to the board. 2. Speakers will approach the podium to address the Board when called upon by the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and begin their remarks by stating their name and address. 3. Each speaker will have 3 minutes in which to make his or her remarks. One additional 3 minute time period may be yielded to him or her by another individual who has completed and submitted a "speaker's card" on the same topic. 4. Speakers shall be courteous and practice decorum. Remarks shall be addressed to the Board of Commissioners as a whole and not to individual members. 5. The following topics are prohibited: a. Matters concerning the candidacy of any person seeking public office. b. Matters concerning an individual public officer, whether elected or appointed. c. Matters that are within the attorney-client privilege, that are confidential by law, or are the subject of public hearings. d. Business solicitation and other marketing activities. e. Any matters not pertaining to county business.