HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 06-18-19 Item 8-i - Resolution Adjusting the Salaries of the Sheriff and Register of Deeds
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 18, 2019
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-i
SUBJECT: Resolution Adjusting the Salaries of the Sheriff and Register of Deeds
DEPARTMENT: Human Resources
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Resolution
North Carolina General Statute 153A-92
Orange County Code of Ordinances
Article II, Section 28-13 (o)
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brenda Bartholomew, Human Resources
Director, (919) 245-2552
PURPOSE: To approve a resolution providing notice of adjustment of the salaries of the Sheriff and
Register of Deeds positions.
BACKGROUND: As authorized by the North Carolina General Statutes § 153A-92 and the
Orange County Code of Ordinances Article II Section 28-13 (o), the Board of Commissioners may
adjust salaries, allowances and other compensation for the Sheriff and Register of Deeds
positions. North Carolina General Statute § 153A-92 states that the Board of Commissioners shall
fix or approve the schedule of pay, expense allowances, and other compensation of all county offices
and employees, whether elected or appointed, and may adopt position classifications plans.
Sheriff Charles Blackwood has 36 years of Orange County service and has served as Sheriff since
December 1, 2014. Mark Chilton took office as the Register of Deeds on December 1, 2014 and has
served four years.
The Manager recommends a salary increase for both elected incumbents based on Orange County
service years and the scope of duties and responsibilities of a serving elected official. A salary
increase of $20,963 is recommended for Sherriff Blackwood, establishing an annual salary of
$142,954. A salary increase of $11,619 is recommended for Mark Chilton, resulting in an annual
salary of $95,673.
The effective date for the increases is July 1, 2019, and any wage adjustments recommended by the
Manager and/or approved by the Board for FY 2019-20 would not apply to these two positions.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The annual salary and fringe benefits financial impact is $39,196.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this
item:
• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY
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The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color;
religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic
background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status.
• GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for
residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their
dependents.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the attached resolution,
with the salary increases becoming effective July 1, 2019, and the positions not being subject to any
wage increase approved by the Board for FY 2019-20.
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RES-2019-045
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Resolution Adjusting the Salary of the Sheriff and Register of Deeds
The Orange County Board of Commissioners as authorized by North Carolina
General Statutes 153A-92 and Article II, Section 28-13 (o) of the Orange County
Code of Ordinances proposes to set the salaries of the Sheriff and Register of
Deeds as provided below effective July 1, 2019.
The salary of Sheriff Charles Blackwood is $142,954, the maximum salary
assigned to Salary Grade 31 of the Orange County Classification and Pay Plan to
reflect his 36 years of service with Orange County Sheriff's Office and his years
serving as the elected Sheriff of Orange County.
The salary of Mark Chilton is $95,673, within the salary range of a Grade 31
reflective of his years serving as the elected Register of Deeds.
All other compensation elements including expense allowances are as set
forth in the Orange County Code of Ordinances.
The compensation of the Sheriff and Register of Deeds may be subject to
change accordingly to the Orange County Classification and Pay Plan pursuant to
Performance Reviews conducted by the Chair of the Board of Commissioners or
where that Plan prescribes changes in salaries or as otherwise changed by
Resolution of the Board of Commissioners. Any wage adjustments approved by the
Board for FY 2019-20 do not apply to these two positions.
Therefore, it be resolved that the compensation of the Sheriff and the
Register of Deeds be granted as proposed within this resolution.
This the 18th day of June 2019.
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North Carolina General Statutes § 153A-92
Compensation
(a) Subject to the limitations set forth in subsection (b) of this section, the board of
commissioners shall fix or approve the schedule of pay, expense allowances, and other
compensation of all county officers and employees, whether elected or appointed, and
may adopt position classification plans.
(b) In exercising the authority granted by subsection (a) of this section, the board of
commissioners is subject to the following limitations:
(1) The board of commissioners may not reduce the salary, allowances, or other
compensation paid to an officer elected by the people for the duties of his elective
office if the reduction is to take effect during the term of office for which the incumbent
officer has been elected, unless the officer agrees to the reduction or unless the Local
Government Commission pursuant to Chapter 159, Article 10, orders a reduction.
(2) During the year of a general election, the board of commissioners may reduce the
salary, allowances, or other compensation of an officer to be elected at the general
election only in accordance with this subdivision. The board of commissioners shall by
resolution give notice of intention to make the reduction no later than 14 days before
the last day for filing notice of candidacy for the office. The resolution shall set forth the
reduced salary, allowances, and other compensation and shall provide that the
reduction is to take effect at the time the person elected to the office in the general
election takes office. Once adopted, the resolution may not be altered until the person
elected to the office in the general election has taken office. The filing fee for the office
shall be determined by reference to the reduced salary.
(3) If the board of commissioners reduces the salaries, allowances, or other
compensation of employees assigned to an officer elected by the people, and the
reduction does not apply alike to all county offices and departments, the elected officer
involved must approve the reduction. If the elected officer refuses to approve the
reduction, he and the board of commissioners shall meet and attempt to reach
agreement. If agreement cannot be reached, either the board or the officer may refer
the dispute to arbitration by the senior resident superior court judge of the superior
court district or set of districts as defined in G.S. 7A-41.1 in which the county is located.
The judge shall make an award within 30 days after the day the matter is referred to
him. The award may extend for no more than two fiscal years, including the fiscal year
for which it is made.
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(4) The board of commissioners shall fix their own salaries, allowances, and other
compensation in accordance with G.S. 153A-28.
(5) The board of commissioners shall fix the salaries, allowances and other
compensation of county employees subject to the North Carolina Human Resources Act
according to the procedures set forth in Chapter 126. The board may make these
employees subject to a county position classification plan only as provided in Chapter
126.
(c) In counties with a county manager, the manager is responsible for preparing position
classification and pay plans for submission to the board of commissioners and for
administering the pay plan and any position classification plan in accordance with
general policies and directives adopted by the board. In counties without a county
manager, the board of commissioners shall appoint or designate a personnel officer,
who shall then be responsible for administering the pay plan and any position
classification plan in accordance with general policies and directives adopted by the
board.
(d) A county may purchase life insurance or health insurance or both for the benefit of
all or any class of county officers and employees as a part of their compensation. A
county may provide other fringe benefits for county officers and employees. In
providing health insurance to county officers and employees, a county shall not provide
abortion coverage greater than that provided by the State Health Plan for Teachers and
State Employees under Article 3B of Chapter 135 of the General Statutes. (1927, c. 91, s.
8; 1953, c. 1227, ss. 1-3; 1969, c. 358, s. 1; c. 1017; 1973, c. 822, s. 1; 1987 (Reg. Sess.,
1988), c. 1037, s. 122; 2013-366, s. 2(b); 2013-382, s. 9.1(c).)
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Sec. 28-13. - Recruitment and selection.
(o) Elected Officials. Notwithstanding the requirements and entitlements of the Pay Plan, the Position
Classification Plan, the Classification and Salary Plan, and any other provisions of this Ordinance,
the salary, allowances and other compensation of the Register of Deeds and the Sheriff shall be
fixed and established from time to time by the Board of Commissioners as provided by N.C. General
Statutes § 153A-92.
(Ord. of 06-07-1976, eff. 08-01-76; Amend. of 11-6-89 Art. II § 4.0, eff. 11-6-89; Amend. of 09-
17-91, eff. 10-1-91; Amend. 11-3-99, eff. 11-3-99)
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