District proposes step-and-grade realignment and an office manager as payroll and benefits rise

District staff told commissioners on June 17 that proposed FY27 payroll and benefits changes would increase the district's personnel budget by approximately $312,000 compared with the prior year. The increase reflects three elements: (1) reclassification of rotation-related overtime into base salaries to reflect a 48.96-hour work rotation for full-time crews, (2) proposed step-and-grade realignment for staff whose HR records need updating after the district separated some functions from county HR, and (3) the proposed addition of an office manager to consolidate HR, risk, and administrative duties.

Staff explained that the 48.96 rotation means overtime is embedded in longer schedules and that the new budget attempts to separate unplanned overtime (extra shifts) from regular rotation pay for clearer accounting. The reclassification raised full‑time salary lines while lowering the separate overtime line in the draft budget.

The staff presenter said the office manager position would centralize HR and risk-management work now handled through the county and that a job description is ready to bring back for discussion. Commissioners agreed that creating a new position and making step adjustments are matters that can be discussed in open session unless the board needs to evaluate the performance of a specific employee in executive session.

On benefits, staff reported a projected 5% increase in retirement and payroll-tax lines and a 12.5% rise in health-insurance costs for the district (health insurance was cited at roughly $421,875 in the draft). Staff cautioned these are estimates and that final numbers will be refined as employee-level data are reconciled.

No personnel actions were taken at the June 17 meeting; commissioners asked staff to return with the revised budget and supporting details at the next meeting so the board can consider adoption once revenue and benefit figures are finalized.