IN YOUR CORNER

In a previous article we mentioned numerous examples of what we considered to be excessive overtime during and following the hurricanes this past summer. The data presented was provided by the County Financial Staff and vetted prior to use. Subsequently, we were invited to an in-depth discussion of the subject with the County Administrator and a number of the specific questions raised by our article were satisfactorily answered. We appreciated the Administrator’s time in explaining the County’s policies and point out why some overtime looked to be excessive. We look forward to more such open communication in the future.

It appears that a number of county employees, especially within the Emergency Services Dept., were paid in what is referred to as pay periods 20 and 21 (Sept. 5 th – Oct. 2 nd) for overtime actually performed during pay period 19 or earlier. This occurred for several reasons and account for many of the extreme overtime examples cited.

First, some individuals were paid overtime by Martin County for their efforts supplementing emergency workers on the west coast of Florida during Hurricanes Charlie and Ivan, which preceded our problems. Second, with a hurricane approaching during the Labor Day weekend, an early run of payroll data (pay period 19) was accomplished to preclude problems in case of an extended power outage. This effectively made pay period 20 several days longer than indicated by the data.

Third, the County Administrator made the decision about a week prior to first hurricane that overtime was available and senior personnel, including Department Heads, were eligible. This decision was based on applicable County Human Resources regulations and thought to be in accordance with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines.

While the information given accounts for many of the specific problems mentioned, others remain, and we believe that the County’s overall approach to overtime in such circumstances needs to be changed. Unknown to our County Administrators, FEMA guidelines were modified several years ago to preclude paying overtime to Department Heads with federal emergency funds. This leaves at least $135,000 of overtime in dispute, and this will probably have to be covered by County funds. In the larger view, we question the philosophy that pays overtime to salaried civil servants making well over $120,000 per year, the equivalent of a 15% bonus for doing their job; managing an emergency.

The County Commission should review regulations with an eye to limiting overtime to hourly personnel and limiting salaried managers, especially the most senior individuals, to compensatory time off. While we fully understand what living in a shelter for days and being away from families during emergencies means, many others in our society also had to endure this imposition. Those serving in the Military Reserves, called up to defend our country, are an excellent example. An army helicopter pilot serving in Iraq makes less than half the salary of the average Martin County firefighter, with less benefits and retirement, and at a far greater risk. The most senior General Officers in the U.S military control multi-billion dollar budgets, are responsible for hundreds of thousands of personnel and are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. They are limited by law to $12,433 per month, or some $149,000 per year. Our calculations show some senior Martin County personnel could easily be exceeding this figure in gross salary and overtime this year.

Being a civil servant in Martin County has many benefits: good pay, life in an outstanding location, excellent medical benefits, and a well-funded retirement plan. For those in management positions, dealing with an occasional emergency should garner praise, some time off, and maybe a promotion for a job well done. It should not be an excuse to raid the public coffers whether they be County, State or Federal. Those privately employed who were laid off by the storms, or business owners whose livelihoods were severely interrupted, do not deserve to pay the extra taxes.

On Another Note:

For years, the Taxpayer’s Association has asked that the County stabilize its budget format to allow year to year comparisons. The County Administrator has told us that they will begin using a new software program for budget formatting that should lead to a stabilized budget format. We look forward to working with the County on the implementation of a new budget format.