ITEM TITLE:
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Consider an ordinance amending Personnel Policies and Procedures, Section 17-1-4-139, Division 17-1-4, Article 17-1, Chapter 17, Lawton City Code, 2015, by amending Stand-by Pay Differential to allow a general employee to earn fifteen percent (15%) for standby pay; providing for severability and establishing an effective date.
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INITIATOR: Craig Akard, Human Resources Director; Employee Advisory Committee
STAFF INFORMATION SOURCE: Craig Akard, Human Resources Director
BACKGROUND: Current City Code states that an employee earns ten percent (10%) of their daily rate of pay if they are placed on a "stand-by" status. Stand-by status means that the general employee is on-call during their non-duty time, including weekends and holidays, if no other employee in their division is scheduled and available to provide services. Once called, stand-by general employees are required to respond to the location within thirty (30) minutes. This regulation is for the benefit and safety of our citizens. The faster we can respond to a broken water line, backed-up sewer, a hole in the street, etc., the sooner we can repair the problem our citizens are having. This lets the citizens know that we are working for them and keeping the city safer and utilities working more efficiently. However, with this regulation, it also limits employees that are on stand-by on what they can do in their off-duty time. It is difficult for them to go to their family events, go out to eat, a movie, or many other activities. Should an employee decide to be involved in activities and they are on stand-by, it would require them to drive two vehicles so they could leave if needed. Changing from ten percent (10%) to fifteen percent (15%) for general employees would add to the annual budget. In fiscal year 2023, approximately $130,445 dollars were paid to general employees for stand-by pay. With the passage of this ordinance, for fiscal year 2023, there would have been an incr...
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