South Coast Air Quality Management District

Approve Salary and Benefits Adjustment for Noncontract Management, Confidential, and Attorney Employees

SYNOPSIS: 

The three-year labor contract recently approved by the Board for professional employees provides for salary and benefits adjustments. This recommendation is to approve comparable salary and benefits adjustments for noncontract management, confidential, and attorney employees for FY 2002-03.

COMMITTEE: 

Administrative, May 10, 2002, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

1. Approve a salary adjustment for noncontract management, confidential, and attorney employees of 3% effective July 8, 2002
   
   
2. Approve an adjustment in AQMD’s contribution for noncontract management, confidential, and attorney employees who voluntarily participate in the agency’s Section 457 deferred compensation plan from 33% to 50% of the total regular contribution allowed by law
   
   
3. Approve an adjustment in the cash payment to noncontract management, confidential, and attorney employees of the unused portion of the agency’s contribution toward health benefits from 75% to100%
   
   
4. Adopt the attached Resolution amending AQMD’s Salary Resolution and Administrative Code to effect these changes

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

In March 2002, the Board approved a three-year labor contract that included annual salary and benefits adjustments for union-represented professional employees. This recommendation would grant comparable adjustments to noncontract management, confidential, and attorney employees for FY 2002-03.

Proposal

The salary adjustment recommended here for noncontract management, confidential, and attorney employees is the same as that granted for FY 2002-03 for professional employees. Additionally, in line with the terms the Board approved for professional employees, an adjustment is recommended in the cash payment noncontract management, confidential, and attorney employees may receive for the unused portion of the agency’s contribution toward health benefits from 75% to 100%. And, finally, instead of an adjustment in the agency’s contribution toward health benefits, which the Board approved for professional employees, a comparable adjustment is recommended that would increase the agency’s Section 457 deferred compensation match for noncontract management, confidential, and attorney employees from 33% to 50% of the total contribution allowed by law.

These adjustments would provide noncontract management, confidential, and attorney employees a salary and benefits package comparable to that approved by the Board for professional employees.

Resource Impacts

The cost, for all noncontract management, confidential, and attorney employees, including designated deputies, of these recommended salary and benefits adjustments is approximately $668,120. Sufficient funds have been included in the Draft Budget for FY 2002-03.

Attachments

Resolution
Administrative Code Amendment
Salary Resolution Amendment

RESOLUTION NO. 02-

                    A Resolution of the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board amending AQMD’s 1) Salary Resolution Section 54 to adopt new salaries effective July 8, 2002, for noncontract management, confidential, and attorney classes, 2) Administrative Code Section 115.1 to adjust the cash payment to employees in noncontract management, confidential, and attorney classes of the unused portion of the agency’s contribution toward health benefits from 75% to 100%. and 3) Administrative Code Section 117 to adjust AQMD’s Section 457 deferred compensation plan match for noncontract management, confidential, and attorney employees from 33% to 50% of the total regular contribution allowed by law.

                    WHEREAS, the Governing Board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District exercises its duty to review and determine appropriate wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment provided to employees.

                    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, State of California, in regular session assembled on June 7, 2002, does hereby amend AQMD’s 1) Salary Resolution Section 54 to adopt new salaries effective July 8, 2002, for noncontract management, confidential, and attorney classes, 2) Administrative Code Section 115.1 to adjust the cash payment to employees in noncontract management, confidential, and attorney classes of the unused portion of the agency’s contribution toward health benefits from 75% to 100%. and 3) Administrative Code Section 117 to adjust AQMD’s Section 457 deferred compensation plan match for noncontract management, confidential, and attorney employees from 33% to 50% of the total regular contribution allowed by law.
 

ADMINISTRATIVE CODE AMENDMENTS

Section 115.1 – Flexible Benefit Plan

…
Management and confidential employees are provided a fixed monthly benefit amount to use for enrolling in AQMD-sponsored insurance programs. If the cost of the benefit plan selected exceeds the monthly amount available, AQMD is authorized to deduct the additional amount from the employee’s biweekly pay warrant. Insurance selections may be made from available plan options based on individual need; however, basic medical, dental, and life insurance coverage for the employee must be maintained. Seventy-fiveEffective September 1, 2002, one hundred percent of any amount remaining in the monthly benefit allotment after insurance selections have been made may be used to purchase additional insurance or may be taken as cash or contributed to an IRS Section 125 tax-qualified reimbursement account.

Section 117 – Deferred Compensation

…
AQMD shall provide all regular full-time employees and employees exempted for a medical condition from the 4/10 schedule who are regularly scheduled to work a minimum of four 8-hour days per week the opportunity to voluntarily participate in an AQMD-sponsored Section 457 deferred compensation plan. Effective January 1, 2003, Ffor all management and confidential employees choosing to participate, AQMD shall make a contribution equal to 3350% of the total regular, noncatch-up contribution. The maximum annual total contribution made to the plan for each employee shall be as stipulated by law.

SALARY RESOLUTION AMENDMENT

Section 54. MANAGEMENT AND CONFIDENTIAL CLASSIFICATION SALARIES.
Effective June 25, 2001July 8, 2002
 

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