Department heads have been sharing preliminary study results with their employees, and some of them are more than a little upset. Even those employees whose range of pay is decreasing won't have their pay cut, said Bruce Loucks, assistant county manager. But that's little comfort for an employee who's topped out and seeing his range reduced. For those complaining of cutbacks, in essence they have benefited because they've been at a much higher range than the market says they should. The current number of ranges is 30.
Broader categories are a better management tool and give better opportunities to employees.
Scott Gilbertson, the county's transportation director, said he's heard from some of his employees too. Gilbertson's area is getting special attention as consultants take a look at job descriptions, duties and requirements through detailed Comprehensive Position Questionnaires. One of the questions is whether a licensed professional engineer is needed in certain jobs. Lee County was found to be employing many more engineers than the 18 other government entities whose structures the consultant examined, Glance said. That raises issues not only of salary but of exclusivity.