In June 1999, the master agreement was extended through June 2000. The master agreement expires at the end of June 2000. The master agreement approach has been an effective way to supplement regular staff with temporary planners. The approach has provided temporary staff to help when an established regular staff person has resigned to take a job elsewhere. In this situation, the hiring process can take three to four or more months during which time the temporary professional can help keep work activities on schedule.
Temporary staff can also make it possible to produce special studies on schedule.
With a master agreement, staff can contact the service provider when additional professional services are needed and budgeted funds are available. Staff and the provider negotiate an hourly rate depending on the expertise needed for the work. Then a letter is issued to the service provider specifying the person to be provided and the hourly rate. A separate approval letter is issued for each situation requiring services. The advantage of temporary service is that it allows staff the flexibility to hire individuals that best fit the work activity, based upon their experience.