REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE BOARD GOVERNED COUNTY SERVICE AREAS
AND RECORD OF ACTION
REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE BIG BEAR VALLEY RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE BLOOMINGTON RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
July 28, 2020
FROM
GARY McBRIDE, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
LUTHER SNOKE, Interim Director, Special Districts Department
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District and San Bernardino County Special Districts Department Exempt Compensation Plan (Exempt Compensation Plan)
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, amend the Exempt Compensation Plan, as on file with the Clerk of the Board, effective pay period nineteen (19), 2020.
2. Acting as the governing body of the Board Governed County Service Areas, amend the Exempt Compensation Plan, as on file with the Clerk of the Board, effective pay period nineteen (19), 2020.
3. Acting as the governing body of the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District, amend the Exempt Compensation Plan, as on file with the Clerk of the Board, effective pay period nineteen (19), 2020.
4. Acting as the governing body of the Bloomington Recreation and Park District, amend the Exempt Compensation Plan, as on file with the Clerk of the Board, effective pay period nineteen (19), 2020.
(Presenter: Bob Windle, County Labor Relations Chief, 387-3101)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Create, Maintain and Grow Jobs and Economic Value in the County.
Improve County Government Operations.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Rather than now proceeding with the July 2020 3% across-the-board salary increase for exempt employees in the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) and San Bernardino County Special Districts Department (Districts), a one-time lump sum payment equivalent to 3% of each employee’s salary covering the period from July 18, 2020 through September 25, 2020 would produce an overall cost savings of approximately $2,000. This savings is due to a reduction in retirement costs because the one-time lump sum payment is not considered as earnable compensation for Tier 2 employees.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Exempt Compensation Plan sets the terms, compensation, and other working conditions for exempt employees in the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) and San Bernardino County Special Districts Department (Districts).
The County’s economic forecast has deteriorated significantly in the wake of COVID-19. Currently, the County has projected a $75.4 million deficit in the coming Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget and a $104.8 million deficit in the 5-year forecast. As a result, the County needs to take immediate action to preserve its financial footing.
On June 23, 2020 (Item No. 119) the Board approved the addition of language to the Exempt Compensation Plan that, among other things, gave the County’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) discretion to grant the Exempt Group’s July 2020 3% across-the-board salary increase based on the availability of financial resources. Given the County’s economic circumstances, the CEO has made the determination to exercise that discretion and not grant the 3% across the board increase. In an effort to mitigate the loss to employees of the anticipated increase it is proposed that the County provide a one-time lump sum payment equivalent to 3% of each employee’s salary covering the period from July 18, 2020 through September 25, 2020. Further, it is proposed that language be added that would give the Chief Executive Officer discretion to restore, in full or in part, said across the board increase. This approach gives the County the ability to ease the ongoing financial constraints and provide additional time to acquire data on the depth and anticipated duration of the economic impacts of this truly unprecedented event.
The County Administrative Office - Labor Relations Unit has had discussions with the County’s labor unions regarding the County’s budgetary concerns and potential cost saving measures, and the proposed one-time lump sum payment is consistent with the tentative agreement reached with Teamsters Local 1932.
PROCUREMENT
N/A.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Richard Luczak, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 20, 2020; Labor Relations (Bob Windle, County Labor Relations Chief, 387-3101) on July 20, 2020; Finance (Tom Forster, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635) on July 21, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on July 22, 2020.