County to eye Health Department hours
By Steve Herring
Published in News on September 14, 2015 1:46 PM
Wayne County commissioners Tuesday morning will consider a proposal that not only would return the Health Department to a five-day work week, but would expand its weekly hours of operation from 40 to 48.
Most county offices have operated on a four-day work week since August 2008.
But in recent years, commissioners have begun to look at moving back to the more traditional schedule. In June 2014, they returned the Veterans Service Office to a five-day schedule.
More recently, commissioners instructed County Manager George Wood to re-examine the four-day week. The results of that review are expected soon.
Tuesday's meeting will get under way with an 8 a.m. agenda briefing followed by the formal session at 9 a.m. Both will be held in the commissioners' meeting room on the fourth floor of the county courthouse annex.
The revised schedule, introduced by health Director Davin Madden, was approved by the Health Department board on Aug. 12.
Under the "Integrated Work Week Proposal" the Health Department would be open Monday through Friday with two congruent schedules running at the same time -- Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Madden, in a memo to commissioners, said that Health Department staff members will be classified under one of three designations: Permanent four day, permanent five day, or rotating.
"The first two designations are self-explanatory, and the third designation indicates that key staff will rotate between schedule one and schedule two for Friday coverage," Madden said in the memo. "This will allow for the Health Department to maintain staff consistency and operational effectiveness by only operating two distinct schedules at all times.
"While this will require some extra schedule planning and development on the management end to assure adequate coverage and backup coverage for condensed staffing on Fridays, I feel the overall plan completely satisfies the premise for five-day-a-week accessibility while offering notable benefits to both employees and citizens."
First, it will do away with the confusing and oftentimes difficult-to-manage altered work schedule designations since employees will function on only one of two congruently operating schedules, Madden said.
Secondly, it will actually expand the health department's capacity to serve the public 48 hours per week instead of 40 hours weekly and continue expanded clinic hours to accommodate working citizens and school-aged population, he said.
It will increase clients' access to service by 20 percent without diminishing service quality, Madden said.
Thirdly, it will allow the county to maintain a recruitment advantage on personnel by maintaining elements of its existing schedule for high-quality candidates, he said.
In other business, commissioners will consider motions to approve:
* A resolution to finance the purchase of equipment.
* An application for transportation operating assistance for fiscal year 2016 in Rural Operating Assistance Program funds.
* A resolution supporting WAGES for its celebration of 50 years of service.
* A proclamation designating Constitution Week in Wayne County.
* A resolution authorizing filing an application requesting a state revolving fund award for wastewater improvements.
* A resolution requesting funding for the N.C. Works Apprenticeship Program.
Other items include a presentation on Medicaid cost settlement funds and the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners September video update.
Consent agenda items include: A petition to add Pointe Drive, Loudon Place, Bradford Place, Tucker Place, Brisbayne Circle and Walnut Cove in Walnut Pointe Subdivision to the state Department of Transportation road maintenance system; applications for elderly or disabled property tax exclusion, for disabled veteran property tax exclusion, for property tax exclusion and for present use value; proclaiming September as Senior Center Month in Wayne County; and budget amendments.
Public comments will be accepted at 10 a.m. People will have four minutes to speak on their topic of choice.