Archer Compensation Study Approved by Commission

At the March 10^th Commission meeting, Dr. Ernest Archer presented his findings following a salary and compensation study that was conducted by The Archer Company late last year.  Job descriptions have been rewritten with input from every employee, and a new performance appraisal system will be put in place this fall.  Dr. Archer recommended a new salary schedule and new pay grades that will maintain internal equity but will also place the Sewer District in a position of paying above the competition.  He compared our positions to those of Charleston Water Systems, Mt. Pleasant Waterworks, Berkeley County Water and Sanitation Authority, and several other water and sewer utilities throughout the state.  The Commission voted to adopt the Archer study, and Sewer District Staff is currently working on incorporating the increases in to the 2009 fiscal year budget.  Pending budget approval, Department Heads will receive information on their employees’ new pay rates, which will be effective June 23, 2008 .  All employees who have completed initial probation will be placed at the minimum pay rate for their position’s grade.  Initial probationary employees will be placed at three percent less than minimum until they have completed their initial probation.  Employees who have been in their position (not hire date) for 10 or more years will be paid at the midpoint of their salary range.  If an employee has been in his position less than ten years, he will be placed somewhere between minimum and midpoint, depending on the years that he has worked in that same position.  Employees already at or above the midpoint of their grades will not receive an increase.  Employees will no longer receive cost of living increases but will receive increases based on performance beginning in January of 2009. 

            There are still details to determine concerning the new performance appraisal system and other aspects of the study recommendations.  The Sewer District and The Archer Company will provide training to supervisors in the upcoming months. 

New Employees

Mark Wilson – Operations – May, 2007
Tyrone Breland – Transportation &  Collection – May, 2007
Jonathan Carroll – Building & Grounds – April, 2007
Jerome Bryan – Transportation & Collection – March, 2007
Bernard Jenkins – Transportation & Collection - March, 2007
Kevin Young – Transportation & Collection – June, 2007

The Pipeline is published quarterly. Submit articles to Kathie Stuber or Bobbie Stewart through interoffice mail or e-mail.

Commission Chairperson
     Mary Miller
District Manager
     Jimmy L. Green
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