Pay Issues with Town Staff; Something Is Brewing
An email was received today. We felt we should pass it along to everyone for feedback - good or bad. It included (4) PDFs (1, 2, 3, 4) and said the following:
I am an admirer of your site, and wanted to pass on some information I wasn't sure you were aware of. Recently the Town decided to commission a pay study by a company called the Archer Company. One of the key contentions for this was to correct any issues with existing positions, and also meet the Town's (stated) goal of being within 5% of the median pay of surrounding jurisdictions. All employees were required to fill out a questionnaire, with a load of questions it took many people hours to go through, understand, and then respond to.
On March 2nd the "first" results were posted (I don't have a current copy of those), where a letter came out stating a fixed 3.3% between each step was put in place. After a few people on staff (not the Director of Administrative Services, or her office for some reason) reviewed the charts, they realized the pay plan was setup on a sliding scale, from 3.57 to 2.42, and the number of steps in grade were increased from 13 to 15. Also there are now 56 grades (but at the moment grade 43 is the highest one posted as far as someone actually being classified to that grade).The members of the Police Department Association voted and decided to submit a FOIA request on the Archer documentation and correspondence, which was approximately 5 days ago, but nothing has been received yet. They also requested the new pay step for Nancy McMahon, the Director of Administrative Services, since it appeared that she got a huge bump, with a top-out pay increase from approx $112K to $138K (at that time) for the grade she was pushed in to as a result of the study. The Chief of Police for instance, stayed in essentially the same grade as other director level positions, but basically only saw a $900 increase in his pay slated for July 1, 2007. Most other positions saw maybe an increase maybe of 4 to 5 percent, but for some reason the top director slot top out went up a whopping 19%.
In addition, the original pay grades that came out included many non-exempt employees being classified to exempt, even though the position descriptions still showed a FLSA of non-exempt.
After the FOIA, there was quite a bit of angst over at Town Hall to say the least. On Wednesday last week they re-issued the position listing, and changed back all the employees they "mistakenly" classified as (newly) exempt, back to non-exempt.
As of Monday, May 12, they re-issued the pay scale, noting that the Archer Company made a mistake in their calculations, and that the revised pay scale now correctly reflected the 3.3% between steps they had documented in their letter to the employees. Of course now the top out pay for the Director of Administrative Services went up to $145K. So now we have approximately a 23% increase.
So now... the Archer Company did the following:
1. Incorrectly Released a Position Listing showing many Non-Exempt employees being moved to Exempt (they did leave the Police Officers up through Sergeant non-exempt)
and
2. Incorrectly Calculated the new Pay Scale to reflect a sliding scale instead of a fixed scale
The Director of Administrative Services has put the blame squarely at the feet of the Archer Company, even though ultimately she is the one responsible for ensuring the pay plan was correct. Of course, the day the initial study was released, she left at noon - right before the papers were sent out to all employees.
From the PD side, one of the bones of contentions was that a Lieutenant for Vienna is equivalent in function to a Captain at many of the smaller jurisdictions (Fairfax City for instance). The pay comparison was based on Lts from Fairfax County and others for the most part. The pay plan reflected that the TOP out pay for the Lt grade (25) was now within 5% of the MEDIAN pay for surrounding jurisdictions. And now they had an additional 2 steps to reach top out in a given pay grade - but oh yeah, when they bumped out to the new 56 grades, as they bumped everyone up or down grades, they ended up sliding them 1 step BACKWARDS. Most of the folks that are now Lts got pushed back a grade, and on previous pay studies they also had this happen - so even though they have been here 18 or 20 years, they are only say 10 steps into their grade - so they are at step J or K.
This happened to many of the other grades - for instance at grade 16 the top out pay only increased $6K, but for people that were put in the grade they got bumped back a step. The increase in pay based on the "bump" was not even 3% - and Council has not approved a COLA for this year (not that they have to) - so it is almost looking like they do a pay study, apply all the increase to the top out pay numbers to make them closer to what is currently median salaries in the region. Of course the Director of Administrative Services got a top out increase of about $23K in her new grade - she wasn't in that grade before the pay study, she got increased while the other director level positions stayed basically the same. So her increase was even more significant than that - and it is doubtful they bumped her back 5 steps to keep her salary close to her old one.
Anyway, not sure if you heard about it or not, but figured it might be of interest to you.
Do with it what you will.
We welcome additional feedback on this matter so it is further clarified.
Comments
Please do NOT tell me that Cathy Salgado makes anything approaching 150k.
BTW, anyone ever see her driving around town? How she is able to pass a simple driving test is beyond me. I got caught behind her one time while she was yapping away on a phone call. She almost caused me to slam into the back of her car after she slammed on her brakes and made a quick turn without signaling.
I wouldn't say anything but for some unknown reason, I have had like 3 "incidents" with her driving freakishly around me.
Posted by: vienna mommy | March 14, 2007 09:36 PM
I am once again outraged by the arrogance of Town managers who see the Town as their personal fiefdom to pillage and plunder as they see fit. The pay increases, if any, should be evenly distributed from the lowest grade to the most senior staff. This is equitable and fair. The Town of Vienna is not a for-profit corporation whose stockholders choose to financially reward those senior managers most responsible for its profit.
The Vienna Police officers' Association has long been concerned about this and other issues concerning the inequities in the Town's pay scale. Vienna Police officers- and most probably other Town employees- are currently paid less than all other comparable jurisdictions. This includes Leesburg and Manassas Park- 2 areas that certainly have lower costs of living than here in Vienna.
Another issue that has not been publicly addressed is the Town's policy of refusing to pay sworn officers for their accrued, unused sick leave at the time of retirement. This policy is contrary to those of most other local jurisdictions and is unreasonable. Sick leave is part of an employee's compensation package and should be regarded as such at retirement. Two exceptions have been made to this policy in recent years. One was for Joe Boudreau- the son of a Town Council member at the time. The Town Council and others decided to reward this Officer for what? What did he do that so many other worthy Officers did not do? Or was he just lucky that Daddy had a lucrative part-time job?
The Town needs to be transparent in its pay scale changes. It is unconscionable that the employees who are most responsible for our safety, quality of life, and even the cleanliness of our community are getting the short end of the stick.
Posted by: 1967 | March 14, 2007 09:48 PM
For too long, shit has been happening in Vienna, because people were either too ignorant to see the corruption or too apathetic to give a hoot... well, the pigeons have come home to roost, and I think that if the TOV doesn't see some resignations, soon, then someone is going to see their legacy totally destroyed, and that includes all their cronies, too!
Since Maud cannot read this (she has no internet access) I hope you get hammered as much as Cole gets slammed. You along with Seeman and Lovelace are a disgrace to Vienna politics.
I want to keep Vienna the jewel of Northern Virginia, and if you continue to destroy our town, I will spend every last breath in making sure you pay the piper...
Posted by: The Mayor (not of Vienna, of Course) | March 14, 2007 10:10 PM
1967, thanks. What we have here in Vienna government is a cockroach problem. We all keep the "lights off" by letting an 85 year old lady run our government like a pet club. But if we all turn the "lights on" so to speak, the cockroaches will run for darkness. Maud's whole game is about information control. However, information wants to be free, and that ladies and gentleman will be her demise.
Posted by: Historic Vienna | March 14, 2007 10:13 PM
It always comes down to money, doesn't it?
When you have to rob Peter to pay Paul, you begin to wonder who is minding the store... well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see what the hell is happening in Vienna.
Runners, take your marks...
Posted by: The Mayor (not of Vienna, of Course) | March 14, 2007 10:16 PM
In regards to my being the only one paid for my sick leave,Your article is incorrect. All others( approx 8) that retired prior to me were paid for any unused sick leave. The records will show that. My father was not involved. It was a stand I took alone because they others were paid.
Posted by: Joe Boudreau | March 15, 2007 10:50 AM
Anybody know what the Town Attorney is paid for a two day a week job?
Posted by: just curious | March 15, 2007 10:52 AM
There is no stand being taken here - yet. We are in investigative mode. We welcome participation from all sides to educate all of Vienna on an issue that clearly has many Town employees concerned.
Posted by: Historic Vienna | March 15, 2007 11:26 AM
Why is anyone surprised at the pay scales? The necessary funds to establish the correct pay scales are sitting in the Town Green. That's all Maud cares about.
Posted by: Tractor Man | March 15, 2007 03:08 PM
The pay scale in Vienna has for a long time, been allowed to become stagnant, before any pay study is initiated. But after the pay study, which is expensive itself, is completed a series of steps are then build in. It may take an employee from 3 to 5 years to reach the top of the grade. Of course by then your in a hole, again, and so it goes. I was topped out a least 4 times in 30 years, having to restart back up the ladder again. When one is topped out, increase the pay and bring them up immediately. The Town should be able to pick up a phone and determine where the Town personnel stands with pay differences from one venue to the other. Put some of this pay study money to better use.
With regard to Mr. Boudreau getting his son sick-leave pay, I can tell you for a fact that nearly every police officer has received their sick leave, long before his election. I got mine in full at 100%; and I have no relationship with Mr Boudreau. So the allegation that he helped his son sounds like someone with an axe to grind. The Town has benefited over the years due to moving police officers up in rank, with little or no pay increase. Each lower rank then moves into the higher ranking officers job, and does it. He/she does it for a lot less money. Sgt to Lt, Cpl to Sgt. And now no Cpl's, only MPO's doing Cpl's work, for a lot less money. When you gain a new Chief, wham, they reduce the number of upper ranking personel and make the lower paid ranks do the job for, you guessed it, less money. And so it goes. Town of Vienna has really benefited on this one. I've found that certain people DO indeed make out better on these pay studies
Posted by: Bob Shafer | March 15, 2007 08:24 PM
Can a reader who is really well educated on this subject start from the top and explain it to the average Vienna reader/voter? The big take away seems to be that Vienna pays far less than other jurisdictions, but a few employees do great?
Here is a simple question we all talk about. Obviously Vienna's population (forget that silly 15,000 number often cited) has EXPLODED. The volume of people to be policed clearly far exceeds a number from let's say 1992. Does Vienna have the right numbers for proper law enforcement staffing? Have we kept pace with population growth? What has been the budget for Police Dept for last 15 years? Has it kept pace?
These questions are not a knock against the Police, but rather an attempt to understand if we have the right numbers of people and budget? Given the clear shortsightedness of Town Council when it came to planning for the Police headquarters, we probably know these answers.
Lastly, why is Vienna when situated in the middle of Fairfax, 3 miles from Tysons, compared to these tiny little Towns when it comes to pay structure? Clearly, policing in Vienna is a whole different ball game than let's say some small town 2 hours southwest down 81.
Posted by: Historic Vienna | March 15, 2007 08:49 PM
Why is the $ going to a Town Green and not the police?
Isn't it that simple?
Shouldn't we try to attract and retain the best police force possible?
Posted by: SE Mom | March 15, 2007 09:19 PM
We can't stop the bank robberies in Town. Then, Rexall had a door smashed in and now Magruders (next door) is the newest attempted robbery victim. Interesting to note that both stores are next door to Maud's house and within 1 block of the police station.
I no longer will walk into a bank in Vienna except the Business Bank since they have a buzzer. Please don't make me have to stop shopping at Magruders and Rexall, too.
I want to start hearing from the Chief of Police. He better start hollering from the rooftops that he needs more help from Town Council. I don't want the police force to be silent on the issue - take it to the press that Town Council is NOT supporting you in the way you need to be.
I want to see police officers walking up and down (driving, too) Maple Avenue all day long. Stop writing tickets on the side streets & make your presence known to the potential criminals.
Posted by: vienna mommy | March 16, 2007 10:02 AM
They have to write tickets. It's the only way they can pay for their salaries! All the other $ is going to the Town Green.
Posted by: SE Mom | March 16, 2007 02:43 PM
I guess the loss in the commercial tax base where the Town Green & VPC parking lots sit don't help either, eh?!
Posted by: vienna mommy | March 16, 2007 04:17 PM
As with everything in life, you get what you pay for. The salaries for the police department are so laughable compared to surrounding jurisdictions that the only people taking the police test aren't intelligent enough to pass it. Seriously...They give the test monthly, and almost no one passes... those are the only people willing to work for that kind of money. And by the time existing officers realize that their salaries will remain stagnant, it's too late due to retirement issues to go elsewhere.
As for the Director of Admin Services....she has benefited greatly from every pay study, her salary jumps drastically each time. And as another poster mentioned, those pay studies are expensive, and the town just goes ahead and does what they intended to do all along, so why waste that kind of money?
Posted by: Been there, done that | March 16, 2007 07:26 PM
There are only a couple of police officers in Vienna that are actually FROM Vienna. I know that one comes from Culpeper- they get paid more here than they would in their own towns.
Im not going for or against this article, just letting you know what Ive heard from personal conversations with the police.
Posted by: minerva | October 23, 2007 09:37 AM