Title
Transportation Department recommending the Board approve relocation reimbursement expenses in the amount of $5,000 for an employee hired in a "hard to fill" position for said Department.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve.
FUNDING: Department of Transportation's Road Fund.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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|
Total Estimated Cost |
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$5,000.00 |
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|
|
Funding |
|
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Budgeted |
$5,000.00 |
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New Funding |
$ |
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Savings |
$ |
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Other |
$ |
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Total Funding Available |
$ |
$5,000.00 |
Change To Net County Cost |
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$0 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost:
Funding for the relocation reimbursement of $5,000 will be provided by the Department of Transportation's Road Fund. There is no cost to the County's General Fund.
Reason for Recommendation:
The Sr. Civil Engineering position has been classified as a "hard to fill" position. As such, new hires are eligible for a $6000 signing bonus and relocation reimbursement for moving expenses up to $5000 in accordance with County Policies E-6 and E-7.
On February 7, 2007 a candidate accepted a job offer with the understanding that the signing bonus would be provided and that moving expenses would be provided as long as the employee met the relocation policy.
The employee did receive the signing bonus. However, the Auditor/Controller's Office denied payment of a claim for relocation expenses because the shortest distance from the employee's old residence to the new place of employment was less than 100 miles.
This has brought up concerns regarding the interpretation of the distance test for eligibility of moving expenses. In this case, the distance from the employee's old residence to the new place of employment is indeed less than 100 miles "as the crow files" but is greater than 100 miles when using normal driving routes.
The employee in good faith submitted a claim for relocation expenses that were felt to be in accordance with County policy. Department management approved such expenses because it was determined to comply with the County policies. The CAO's Office also approved the expense.
To help clarify the issue, the CAO's Office is preparing a revision to Board Policy E-6 for action at a future Board meeting. In the interim, the Department is requesting that this specific relocation reimbursement be approved by your Board for payment by the Auditor/Controllers Office.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
Department to resubmit relocation reimbursement to the Auditor/Controller's Office for processing.
Contact: Elizabeth B. Diamond, P.E., Deputy Director West Slope Engineering & Project Delivery, Ext. 5982