§ 86-108. Merit increases.

(a)

Advancements within a pay range are a means of rewarding certain employees for continuing improvement of performance, encouraging careers with the county, providing employee incentive and recognizing individual differences in the performance of employees.

(b)

Increases within a pay range are not automatic. Most are based on formal performance evaluations of the employee and certification by the appointing authority. Certain classes of employees may receive increases based on other criteria.

(c)

The amount of the merit increase shall be determined by the appointing authority within the limits prescribed by the county manager.

(d)

Merit increases shall normally be effective at the beginning of the first pay period following an employee's anniversary date. An appointing authority may, however, grant increases at other times with the authorization of the human resources director.

(e)

An appointing authority may recommend a salary increase within a pay range, in addition to the regular merit increase, for exceptional service. Such increases, together with the regular merit increase, shall not exceed ten percent in any fiscal year. Written justification for such an increase must be submitted to the human resources director for approval.

(f)

Merit increases may be granted on a prorated basis at different times between an employee's anniversary date and the ensuing 12-month period, providing that the total of such prorated increases falls within the limits prescribed by the county manager.

(g)

An appointing authority may withhold a merit increase if an employee's performance is not satisfactory until such time as the employee has corrected his deficiencies or made satisfactory progress. Written notice of the withholding of a merit increase, the reasons for the delay, and what steps the employee must take to correct his deficiencies or to demonstrate satisfactory performance shall be given to the employee no later than his anniversary date. The withholding of a merit increase shall be reviewed by the appointing authority no more than 90 days after the employee's anniversary date. If the employee has demonstrated satisfactory performance, a merit increase may be granted; if progress is being made toward satisfactory performance, the merit increase may be withheld up to an additional 90 days with notice to the employee; if progress is not evident, the appointing authority shall take appropriate action to separate the employee from the position.

(h)

The anniversary date for an annual performance evaluation and merit increase shall be established based on the employee's date of initial hire or date of last promotion. An annual performance evaluation and merit increase (if applicable) shall be awarded thereafter on that date until the maximum of the pay range is reached or until the employee is promoted upon which they will receive a new anniversary date.

(i)

The following factors shall not affect eligibility for a merit increase:

(1)

Pay adjustment resulting from the annual salary survey.

(2)

Transfer to another position within the same class or to another position in a different class assigned to the same pay range.

(3)

Military leave without pay necessitated by a draft or a reserve call-up because of a national emergency.

(4)

A period of paid leave.

(5)

Reclassification to a class within the same pay range or within a lower pay range.

(Ord. No. 81-19, § 4.08, 9-3-81; Ord. No. 88-31, § II, 9-15-88; Ord. No. 95-48, § I, 12-21-95; Ord. No. 2016-20, § I, 12-15-16)