Monroe County employees currently at home with no available work could be furloughed, while others could be partially laid off, as officials align operations with current revenue projections as a result of COVID-19.
It could result in anywhere from 30 to 100 employees being fully or partially furloughed, and between $500,000 and more than $1 million in savings during a 16-week period.
On Wednesday, April 15, Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi will place a resolution before commissioners on pay policies that establish compensation and employment practices. The resolution addresses four specific work scenarios and how employees would be compensated.
“This is such a unique event that our emergency pay plan resolution that we have during other emergencies just simply doesn’t apply to this … especially with the “Safer at Home” directive,” Gastesi said in a press conference late Tuesday afternoon.
Employees who are currently home and have no work would be placed on full furlough, meaning they would be unpaid and have no administrative leave applied to make their pay whole. They may use earned leave to receive full compensation. Employees would be able to apply for unemployment benefits.
Those placed on partial furlough with some work available would be paid for work performed at their regular rate and have no administrative leave applied to make their pay whole for unworked time. They may use any form of earned leave to receive compensation for the remainder of their weekly schedule.
Bryan Cook, employee services director, said the county will keep medical insurance and other benefit coverage for employees who are fully or partially furloughed. Employee portions of monthly premiums will be waived for those individuals as well.
County personnel working at home who are performing emergency response or regular work would be compensated their regular rate and per regular pay policies.
Employees required to work out of the home, whether performing emergency response work or regular work, will be compensated at one-and-a-half times their regular rate for time required to work away from home. They include public works and parks and rec staff; road and bridge workers; project managers who are watching active construction sites such as Plantation Key Courthouse; building inspectors; biologists; social services employees; and fire rescue.
“It’s a hazard to leave your house during a directive to stay home, so we feel it’s fair to pay those employees who have to go out there and frankly risk more than the other employees,” Gastesi said.
The county workforce in total is around 565. With temporary workers, that number is closer to 600. The county’s overall operating budget is around $173 million.
The county could save around $500,000 over a 16-week period by furloughing and partially furloughing 30 employees. Around $1.7 million in savings would be reflecting in furloughing and partially furloughing 100 positions during that same time period.
Gastesi said more accurate figures will be available next week. He said he isn’t sure how long the new pay policy will be in place.
“It all depends on the flattening of the curve of course,” he said.
The county is also implementing hiring and purchasing freezes. Gastesi said they’ll also cut travel expenditures and forgo capital projects that haven’t started.
Proposed pay policy wouldn’t be fully implemented until commissioners approve it. But with current emergency orders, the county can initiate the plan April 13, which is the start of a new pay period, and have it retroactively approved.
In the memo, Gastesi states that a decision to reduce workforce or suspend jobs is very difficult. He said employees were made aware of the proposed policy on Tuesday afternoon.
“Our employees are the foundation of everything we have achieved, and we place the highest value on the commitment and hard work that you have dedicated to Monroe County. But we must make these adjustments now,” he said. “With these changes in place, I feel confident that we will be able to absorb this economic downturn and come out of it a stronger organization.”
KEY WEST
Key West City Manager Greg Veliz told The Weekly on April 8 that he has no current plans to furlough or lay off any city employees.
“For right now, I’m trying to maintain everyone,” Veliz said. “Finance Director Mark Finigan assures me we’re OK for now, and we’re right in the middle of a payroll. Of course, that could change in 10 days, but for now, we’re holding everyone in place.”
Veliz said the coming budget year could get interesting.
“Right now, I don’t have parking revenue, cruise ships or city rent payments,” Veliz said, adding that he has already spoken with the various unions that represent city employees and has asked that they potentially forgo raises next year to keep people working now.
“As of now, we’ll try to carry on as long as we can,” Veliz said.
ISLAMORADA
In Islamorada, most employees are taking phone calls, conducting conference calls and emailing while they work remotely at home. While there were some initial layoffs with part-time parks staff, no discussions have ensued yet over furloughs. The village Administrative Center is closed to the public through April 19. The closure will continue to be re-evaluated.
“We’ve got everybody working from home. The closure with full pay is through April 19,” said Mary Swaney, Islamorada public information officer. “Most people have something they can do at home.”
MARATHON
The City of Marathon has not furloughed any employees, nor does it have any immediate plans to do so unless the current virus situation changes. Still, as a precaution, city officials are crafting a plan should the need occur.
“Since Hurricane Irma, Marathon has been forced to operate very thin without complete reimbursement,” said City Manager Chuck Lindsey. “We have left many positions vacant and while this has been frustrating for some who experience slower services, it has been a necessity to remain economically viable and protect us for the future.
“Because of this we are able to continue operating and have no immediate plans to furlough employees. However, we are planning should that need occur, or the situation changes.”
The City of Marathon employs about 100, including the Fire EMS employees. Lindsey said a large percentage are working from home, while others are working on special projects (see sidebar).
