The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Commissioners still at odds over days off, JFS asks to be excluded

One arrested in Urbana on inducing panic charge
Updated 16 min. ago
Man accused of shoving woman’s face in pavement
Updated 29 min. ago
Missing man found in state park
8:15 a.m.
Du convicted of attempted aggravated murder in WSU stabbing case
3/19/10
Kasich wants changes but will save details for fall
3/18/10
> More headlines

By Bridgette Outten, Staff Writer Updated 5:43 PM Tuesday, February 9, 2010

SPRINGFIELD — Job and Family Services of Clark County administrators requested its employees be excluded from an additional two paid days off that the county commission has scheduled for April 2 and Nov. 12.

In a 2-to-1 vote Tuesday, Feb. 9, Clark County commissioners agreed to the exclusion of those dates, but gave JFS employees two floating days off instead.

JFS Director Bob Suver said the measure gives his agency a little more flexibility but it doesn’t help the issue of an increasing workload handled by a decreased staff.

“We need all the time we can get to address our workload,” Suver said. “With this additional time off, there could be some consequences on the timeliness of getting things done.”

Staff furlough days, 33 layoffs and other budget cuts have been made by JFS to plug a $3.15 million budget hole.

Commissioners David Hartley and Roger Tackett voted for the resolution giving JFS two floating holidays; Commissioner John Detrick dissented.

Detrick wanted to rescind the initial Jan. 26 resolution, arguing money saved in utility costs will not help the county’s struggling general fund budget.

The county would save $2,739 in utility costs per day with the county offices closed; it costs $64,011 a day to pay general fund employees and $182,533 per day to pay all 1,248 county employees, according to figures released from the county auditor’s office.

“Clark County is a great place to work,” Detrick said. “And at least our employees still have jobs. I don’t begrudge them anything but we’re in tight times and it’s just practical to forego any more vacation time.”

Hartley and Tackett both said county employees deserve the paid time off because they haven’t received raises in two years and their health insurance benefits have been recently reduced.

“We’re very appreciative of our employees and the efforts that they’ve made,” Hartley said.

Tackett added: “We thought this was something we could do for our employees, especially at this time when the economy has been so difficult.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374 or boutten@coxohio.com.

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

This issue is not about the Union. The director may not have debated this before the union and should not debate this now. In January 2009 the director signed an agreement with the union, that states "if the commissioners approve any personal days, holidays or other time off for County employees, JFS employees will receive the same". The Union negotiated this benefit for employees who voted for and employees who were against the Union. No one is against the employer.

Stayc
5:22 PM, 2/11/2010

REPORT ABUSE

I really don't care if we get the days off or not, but why penalize one department over the others. Before the JFS Union came in these issues were never in debate by the JFS Director. Not all employees voted for the union, so why is everyone being looked upon as if they are all against their employer.

mommad
6:29 PM, 2/10/2010

REPORT ABUSE

County employees do not get their birthday off paid. City of Springfield employees do. The city takes 2% of your paycheck and blows it on useless endeavors. The county is required by state law to provide a lot of services to citizens, and those services aren't free.

fred
6:04 PM, 2/10/2010

REPORT ABUSE

Why not "save" the county $27,390 and give them 10 PAID days off in addition to not only birthdays but don't forget the personal days they get as well.

Doesn't matter
5:27 PM, 2/10/2010

REPORT ABUSE

Oh....my....gawd to the disgraceful postings of the county workers on here. You should be ashamed and understand he is correct about your childish picking at trivial type-o's when he's upset about taxes. Is this how you judge people in person? He's dirty, so the point of his concerns are lost on me! Thank you Jesus I've never had to deal with your office in person if this is how you listen. One of us would leave in a squad, and it wouldn't be me.

Joe is correct.
3:33 PM, 2/10/2010

REPORT ABUSE

There are 76 additional comments

SHOW ALL

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.