A proposed job and wage reclassification for the city of Hinesville was dropped Thursday after the city council failed to approve changing pay grades for five city positions.
Last August, Hinesville entered into a contract with the Carl Vinson Institute of
Government at the University of Georgia to maintain the city’s job classification and compensation plan. The institute analyzed the city’s jobs and wages, comparing Hinesville’s pay grades and job descriptions with cities of comparable size across Georgia.
Hinesville City Manager Billy Edwards said the recommended changes would make the city’s pay system equitable with cities of similar population in the state.
The council considered lowering the pay grade for its building service worker position, and increasing the pay grade for accounting supervisor, human resources director and municipal court administrator. A new position, help desk technician, also was proposed.
Edwards recommended the council approve the job reclassification except for the institute’s initial proposal to increase the pay grades for the manager and assistant manager’s positions.
The council entered into an executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss the recommended changes to the city’s pay system, an item that comes under personnel, and to discuss real estate. Council members then reconvened to vote on the reclassification and on proposed land acquisition.
Two motions on the personnel issue were made: one to vote down the job reclassification and another to approve it. Both motions died for lack of a second.
The council was split on its real estate vote. Hinesville Mayor Jim Thomas voted to approve the land acquisition issue thereby giving Edwards and the city attorney the authority to proceed with eminent domain. Thomas said a number of easements were needed to correct drainage problems for the new justice center, currently under construction, and the Bryant Commons project.
In other city business:
• The council approved forming a budget committee consisting of the mayor, city manager, two council members and the city’s chief finance officer. This committee will review the city’s proposed budget, eliminating individual budget meetings with city department heads and the annual budget workshop. Council members Charles Frasier and Keith Jenkins volunteered to serve on the committee.
• The council awarded a $106,375 contract to CPA firm Clifton, Lipford, Hardison & Parker. The firm will provide audit services for fiscal years ending Oct. 31, 2010 through 2012.
Last August, Hinesville entered into a contract with the Carl Vinson Institute of
Government at the University of Georgia to maintain the city’s job classification and compensation plan. The institute analyzed the city’s jobs and wages, comparing Hinesville’s pay grades and job descriptions with cities of comparable size across Georgia.
Hinesville City Manager Billy Edwards said the recommended changes would make the city’s pay system equitable with cities of similar population in the state.
The council considered lowering the pay grade for its building service worker position, and increasing the pay grade for accounting supervisor, human resources director and municipal court administrator. A new position, help desk technician, also was proposed.
Edwards recommended the council approve the job reclassification except for the institute’s initial proposal to increase the pay grades for the manager and assistant manager’s positions.
The council entered into an executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss the recommended changes to the city’s pay system, an item that comes under personnel, and to discuss real estate. Council members then reconvened to vote on the reclassification and on proposed land acquisition.
Two motions on the personnel issue were made: one to vote down the job reclassification and another to approve it. Both motions died for lack of a second.
The council was split on its real estate vote. Hinesville Mayor Jim Thomas voted to approve the land acquisition issue thereby giving Edwards and the city attorney the authority to proceed with eminent domain. Thomas said a number of easements were needed to correct drainage problems for the new justice center, currently under construction, and the Bryant Commons project.
In other city business:
• The council approved forming a budget committee consisting of the mayor, city manager, two council members and the city’s chief finance officer. This committee will review the city’s proposed budget, eliminating individual budget meetings with city department heads and the annual budget workshop. Council members Charles Frasier and Keith Jenkins volunteered to serve on the committee.
• The council awarded a $106,375 contract to CPA firm Clifton, Lipford, Hardison & Parker. The firm will provide audit services for fiscal years ending Oct. 31, 2010 through 2012.