5.1. ERMUSR 11-12-2013 Elk River Y.
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Wage and Benefits Committee:
John Dietz—Chair John Dietz, Troy Adams, Mark Fuchs, Theresa
Al Nadeau—Vice Chair Slominski
Daryl Thompson—Trustee
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
November 12, 2013 5.1
SUBJECT:
Wage and Benefits Committee Update: COLA and Benefits
BACKGROUND:
In October 2011, the Utilities Commission formed a Wage and Benefits Committee. The
Utilities Commission created the committee to be comprised of one Commissioner, John Dietz—
Utilities Chair, and three Utilities managers, Troy Adams—General Manager, Theresa Slominski
—Finance and Office Manager, and Mark Fuchs—Electric Superintendent. The intent for the
creation was to have the committee review and analyze wage and benefits information, receive
comments and questions from employees relating to wage and benefits, function as a forum for
discussion, and ultimately present select wage and benefit information to the Utilities
Commission for action.
DISCUSSION:
The Committee discussed and decided to bring forward to the Commission for consideration the
2014 cost of living adjustment(COLA), Commissioners' compensation, and the clothing policy
for non-field employees.
The Committee researched and discussed a number of options for COLA. The two options the
Committee would like the Commission to consider are:
1. COLA Option 1: Award a 2.5% COLA for all pay plan groups. This has cost of
$66,387.98, which doesn't include overtime.
2. COLA Option 2: Award a 2.5% COLA for the Lineworker pay plan group and a 2.1%
COLA for all other pay plan groups. This option has a cost of$59.486.16, not including
overtime. Option 2 would provide a $6,901.82 savings over Option 1.
The compensation for Commissioners has not changed in over a decade. The Committee
researched compensation rates for Minnesota municipal utility commissioners. Based on the
survey information, approximately 1/3 of the municipal provide a stipend for attendance of
additional meetings outside of the regular monthly meeting. The most common amount of the
stipend was $50/day. yy
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The Committee also reviewed the clothing policy for non-field employees. The current policy
allows the non-field employees one ERMU shirt per year. The Committee discussed changing
this to an annual allowance. The Committee had consensus on a policy revision to allow non-
field employees a $75/year clothing allowance which the unused funds would not carry over
from year to year.
As discussed in the October 2013 meeting the dental insurance renewal for 2014 was received
and it is a 5.9% increase. This is approximately a $2,000 increase in premium dollars. The
Committee did not recommend any change to the employee deduction for dental. The
Commission discussed and came to consensus that the dental plan would be approved for 2014
renewal with the current 75%/25% employer/employee cost sharing. However, this was not
included in the motion and was not voted on last month.
At the Commissioners requests, additional detail from the Committee meeting discussion topics
can be provided.
ACTION REQUESTED:
• Commission adoption of 2014 Dental Insurance Renewal
• Commission adoption of the 2014 COLA
• Commission adoption of Commission Compensation
• Commission adoption of Revisions to Employee Handbook for Non-Field Staff Clothing
Allowance
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