Budget committee votes to send council recommendation to reclassify positions below grade 5

The committee voted to forward a recommendation to the full council to reclassify any county positions currently graded below a 5 to grade 5.

Joni Wise, introduced to the committee as a health administrator, described that several health-department clerks are still on a grade 4 classification and asked that those positions move to grade 5; she also asked that one deputy administrator be elevated from a 4 to a 7 because of longstanding responsibilities. Committee members discussed whether pay-grade changes should be a grade-change (permanent job-description change) or a stipend. One committee member said a grade change should follow the position and job description so future hires are recruited to the appropriate level.

A committee member moved "to take to the council that we, as a county, do away with any reclassify any position that happens to be lower than a 5 up to a 5." The motion was seconded, committee members voiced "aye," and the committee decided to send the recommendation to the full council for final action.