By Gretchen McPherson
Ledger Staff
Jay gives raises to 3 employees
Workers rewarded for getting certified
May 19, 2022
All three Jay maintenance employees got a raise following approval at last Monday night's council meeting of a certification point progression spreadsheet.
Employee Tony Howard got a $2 raise, Trent Flowers got $1 raise and Rocky Witt got a $3 raise, based on special certifications they hold. According to Jay Project Manager Eric Seib, all three have certifications and will have opportunities to earn others in gas, water and sewer working for the town.
Witt holds a Class A wastewater license and Class C drinking water license. Both Howard and Flowers hold gas maintenance certifications and Class D water licenses. Howard holds a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and a Class D water distribution license.
“It gives all three of them a raise based on merit,” said Seib. “We now go in to track their qualifications.”
There were job descriptions for 4 categories of 'maintenance worker', each delineating an increase of knowledge and certification in water. Employees will get incremental raises as they become certified, earning water and/or wastewater licenses in the different levels of A through C.
“These are progression points of what you need to move to the next level,” said Councilwoman jane Hayes. “These are the key things that Eric and I deemed as key performance indicators of what we need. It's not an exhaustive list of everything they need to know how to do to keep our wastewater and our water systems going.”
Seib explained that the employees have special certifications that can save the town some money.
Howard approached the council several weeks ago about a cost-of-living wage and the issue was tabled until a progression spreadsheet could be developed to present to the council. Seib told the council it will be an additional $12,000 a year between the three employees.
In a motion made by Councilwoman Nina Hendricks to adopt the progression chart, which was seconded by Councilman Josh Holloway, the motion carried unanimously.
In other business, the council:
-Looked at the updated 3-D printed schematics for the Bray-Hendricks Park renovation concession stand building plan created by STOA Architects, although they took no action
-Approved renting two Boyette's Portable Restrooms for $497 beginning Saturday, June 18, for a baseball tournament that could run two weekends, to supplement the restrooms available at the park now
The next meeting will be at 6 p.m., Monday, June 6, at Jay Town Hall.
