Small Town News

BWD board approves new employee contracts

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On the last day in office for Belfair Water District Commissioners John Phillips and Harry Hatlem, the board approved contracts for three employees that put into writing provisions that will not expire until 2016.

The special meeting took place at noon on Friday, Dec. 30, with Commissioner Mike Pope in absence and about two dozen members of the public in attendance. The meeting finished within 10 minutes.

"These are contracts for the employees that aren't covered," said Manager Dave Tipton, citing a 2008 Washington State Audit of the district that recommended that all employees have contracts. "This [recommendation] was missed somehow."

The three employees with new contracts include Mike Brown as water distribution worker and Rebecca Johnson and Jennifer Tipton as office clerks.

Each of the employee contracts outlines the process for involuntary termination and voluntary termination, as well as salary and duties: Johnson's contract entitles her to a severance pay worth two months' pay if involuntarily terminated, while Brown and Tipton will receive three months' pay if involuntarily terminated.

Each employee is entitled to a 90-day written notice of such termination. In the event that the employees voluntarily resign or retire, they are required under contract to provide the district with no less than 30 days advance notice.

As part-time clerks, Johnson and Tipton are excluded from working Saturdays and Sundays, and Johnson is entitled to a rate of 1.5 times her regular pay for attending any regular or special meeting that starts after 2 p.m. or is still in session after 4 p.m.

If Jennifer Tipton attends a regular or special meeting after 2 p.m. or one still in session after 4 p.m. she is entitled to eight hours pay.

Johnson's salary is $10.61 per hour, Tipton's salary is $13.26 per hour and Brown's salary is $15.05 per hour. All of their salaries are subject to an annual increase of at least 1 percent.

Brown is also entitled to a minimum 50-cent increase when he attains Washington State Department of Health Water Distribution Manager II certification.



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