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Adopt a resolution amending the Alphabetical Listing of Classes and Salaries to increase the maximum hourly rate for the extra help job classification of Contract Employee - Professional from $180.00 to $195.50 effective October 29, 2023, and from $195.50 to $201.36 effective October 27, 2024
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __ X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Human Resources recommends adopting a resolution amending the Alphabetical Listing of Classes and Salaries to increase the maximum hourly rate for the extra help job classification of Contract Employee - Professional from $180.00 to $195.50 effective October 29, 2023, and from $195.50 to $201.36 effective October 27, 2024.
SUMMARY:
The job classification of Contract Employee - Professional was established in 2001. The last increase to the maximum hourly rate was in April 2020. The proposed hourly rate increase would permit the County to offer an hourly rate to extra help psychiatrists that aligns within the collective bargaining agreement for Unit 11, which represents Psychiatrists. The Board approved the agreement on December 13, 2022.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact to amending the Alphabetical Listing of Classes and Salaries. Any financial impact for specific contract employees is dependent on the contract between the County and the individual employees, the type of work performed, and the specific department’s operating budget and revenue source(s).
DISCUSSION:
The job classification of Contract Employee - Professional was established in 2001. The maximum pay rate for Contract Employee - Professional was amended from $150.00 to $180.00 in April 2020. The minimum pay rate was amended on December 13, 2022, to reflect the pending increase to the California minimum wage of $15.50 that went into effect on January 1, 2023.
On December 13, 2022, the Board adopted a resolution approving the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Solano County and Unit 11, which represents physicians, dentists, and psychiatrists. The MOU term is for the period of December 13, 2022 through October 25, 2025. Per the MOU, the hourly base wage for the Psychiatrist (Board Certified) classification increased to a maximum of $187.98 per hour beginning the first pay period following the Board of Supervisors’ adoption of the MOU for Unit 11. On October 29, 2023, the maximum hourly rate will increase to $195.50 and on October 27, 2024, it increases to $201.36.
Staff recommends the Contract Employee - Professional maximum hourly rate be increased to $195.50 effective October 29, 2023, and increased to $201.36 effective October 27, 2024. This will allow for contract employees performing the same job duties as those represented by Unit 11 to receive the same base hourly rate.
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) believes these increases are necessary to retain extra help contract psychiatrists on the County’s payroll, to remain wage competitive with locum tenens firms, and as an appealing hourly rate for any private sector psychiatrists who wish to supplement their practice by working for the County on an extra help basis. Currently, H&SS has 2 Contract Employee - Professionals who are psychiatrists.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could opt to not increase the maximum rate; however, this option is not recommended as psychiatrists are one of the County’s more difficult positions to fill, and the use of extra help employees is one means of supplementing the number of psychiatrists employed by the County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Human Resources Department consulted with the Health and Social Services Department and the County Administrator’s Office in the development of the recommended action.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION