Washtenaw County plans to hire 2 new workers in its departments
The requests of two Washtenaw County departments for additional staff have been given the first approval by the Board of Commissioners in a 9-0 vote during its Ways and Means meeting Wednesday night.
Evan Pratt
The addition of both positions will be budget-neutral to the county’s general fund, as both departments are bringing in revenue to cover the cost of the new employees.
In the Water Resources Department, three of the employees were overloaded with work and were falling behind because of the increased number of county drain and soil erosion projects, said Evan Pratt, Water Resources Commissioner.
The new full-time employee would be paid an annual salary between $30,515 and $40,253, which would be covered by the revenue the employee would be able to bring in through an agreement between Ann Arbor and the county.
It is estimated that the position would generate $41,337 per year in revenue due to the agreement with the city for the first three years.
“I want to give our new water resources commissioner the ability to run his office as he sees fit,” said Commissioner Dan Smith, R-Northfield Township. “I am cautious about hiring more people and putting more people on the payroll.”
Temporary employees were being used to do some of the work in the department previously.
“I appreciate that you’re hiring someone instead of using temps to do the work,” said Commissioner Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor.
The county’s IT department contracts with local municipalities to provide technical support -- including Ypsilanti, Dexter Township, Chelsea Police Department, 14B District Court and the Dexter Fire Department. The Washtenaw Intermediate School District will soon be added to that list.
The department is anticipating $117,424 in revenue from its contracts in 2013 when it had budgeted for a revenue of $77,000.
The IT Department has three systems support technicians responsible for 1,580 computers at 36 offices.
Industry recommendations for the ratio of technician to computers is one to 200. In Washtenaw County, the ratio is one to 526.
Adding an employee would increase response times for service requests, according to the resolution county Infrastructure Management Director Greg Dill submitted for approval.
The new technician would also assist with the servicing of 60 new laptop computers that have been installed in the patrol cars of sheriff deputies.
The full-time employee would be paid an annual salary between $37,464 and $52,355. The cost of the new worker would be covered by a $40,425 surplus in the department's budget from new contracts with municipalities and $32,647 in a structural reduction in the department.
The hirings need the formal approval from the full Board of Commissioners meeting, which meets next at 6:45 p.m. April 3.
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.
Comments
A2 Daft
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:21 a.m.
I find it hard to believe that Mr Dill is allowed to work for they County after the way he exited his previous emoyment there. He was passed over for a promotion and threatened a racial discrimination lawsuit. Then Human Resource Director Verna McDaniels (yes current County Administrator and personal friend of Mr Dill) worked out a cash settlement paid by the previous County Administration. The limit on the Administrators authorization for payments is $250k. Mr Dill took his money and left the County. He then turned up in the Oak Park School system where he was suspended after being caught using school funds to create his own personal recreation room. This project was not approved by the school board and Mr Dill shortly thereafter was no longer working for the school district. This story was covered thoroughly by both the Detroit News and the Free Press. Mr Dill turned up again as part of the. New Sheriff Clayton's administration but quickly worked his way back into the senior leadership of the County Administration when Administrator McDaniels took office. So can anyone tell me why a highly paid employee who threated his employer and settled for a large cash settlement, was the in his next position investigated by police and dismissed from the school district employing him, is allowed back in Wahtenaw County making a 6 figure salary and working for his longtime friend who now sits as Administrator. I and most people do not have and grudge against Mr Dill, but we do resent the fact that our tax money is being wasted on employees where blatant favoritism takes place and where our elected Commissioners (some know of this entire history) allow this gentleman to be reemployed in a high level high paying position. Citizens, open your eyes and recognize the problems we face.