The commission has passed the latest budget proposal. Some of the highlights are: No furlough days, no merit pay increases, no paid holidays and Burrell Ellis reduces his salary by 2.5 precinct.
Click here for AJC article.
Showing posts with label Your Benefits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Your Benefits. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Budget Amendment Letter
Until we can get a clarification on the Pensioners Group Health and Life Insurance budget , we'll just leave at this.
Click here for news release.
Click here for amendment letter.
Click here for news release.
Click here for amendment letter.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Januray 2010 Pension Meeting Minutes
We held our Pension Board meeting on 1-7-2010.
An Election of Pension Board Officers was held with the following results: Chairman – Ed Wall, Secretary – Andrella Kenner, Clerk – Jelani Hooks and Vise-Chairman was deferred until the next meeting.
Ratification of 5 invoices was approved.
Review of 4th quarter market results by Callan revealed a good 4th quarter with a good rebound for the year 2009. Callan introduced 2 new representatives that will be handling our account.
Segal reviewed the early retirement incentive program and contribution projections.
Once approved by the BOC county employee contribution into the pension plan will go from 4.5% to 5%, this is the ½% increase discussed in previous emails. The split between county and employee contribution will be 10% county / 5% employee for 2010.
The early retirement incentive program is moving forward. Once the BOC makes a decision the exact details will be disclosed.
A Home Rule Ordinance changing the disability pension guidelines was approved and will be sent to the BOC for final approval. The changes are to require an employee be vested in the pension plan before he can receive a disability pension (excluding on the job injuries) and require the employee to be unable to engage in any occupation with the county for which he is or becomes reasonably qualified by education, training, or experience.
Requests from 5 employees to repay contribution withdrawn form the pension plan, so as to receive accredited service for prior employment were approved.
Requests from 2 employees to pay contributions for employment on leave without pay, so as to receive accredited service for that employment were approved.
Disability pensions for 3 employees were approved.
Disability pensions for 2 employees were denied.
Please post this and attachment for all employees that do not have email.
Please no emails on early retirement program. I will keep you posted as new info becomes available.
James Butler
Pension Board Member
Click here for November 2009 Pension Statement
An Election of Pension Board Officers was held with the following results: Chairman – Ed Wall, Secretary – Andrella Kenner, Clerk – Jelani Hooks and Vise-Chairman was deferred until the next meeting.
Ratification of 5 invoices was approved.
Review of 4th quarter market results by Callan revealed a good 4th quarter with a good rebound for the year 2009. Callan introduced 2 new representatives that will be handling our account.
Segal reviewed the early retirement incentive program and contribution projections.
Once approved by the BOC county employee contribution into the pension plan will go from 4.5% to 5%, this is the ½% increase discussed in previous emails. The split between county and employee contribution will be 10% county / 5% employee for 2010.
The early retirement incentive program is moving forward. Once the BOC makes a decision the exact details will be disclosed.
A Home Rule Ordinance changing the disability pension guidelines was approved and will be sent to the BOC for final approval. The changes are to require an employee be vested in the pension plan before he can receive a disability pension (excluding on the job injuries) and require the employee to be unable to engage in any occupation with the county for which he is or becomes reasonably qualified by education, training, or experience.
Requests from 5 employees to repay contribution withdrawn form the pension plan, so as to receive accredited service for prior employment were approved.
Requests from 2 employees to pay contributions for employment on leave without pay, so as to receive accredited service for that employment were approved.
Disability pensions for 3 employees were approved.
Disability pensions for 2 employees were denied.
Please post this and attachment for all employees that do not have email.
Please no emails on early retirement program. I will keep you posted as new info becomes available.
James Butler
Pension Board Member
Click here for November 2009 Pension Statement
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Here's Your Chance
An open letter to all county employees from Commissioner Larry Johnson. Don't miss this opportunity to give your input.
To All DeKalb County Employees,
In this current economy, housing prices and property values are down and as a result revenue projections for DeKalb County are also down. The Board of Commissioners has been presented with a 2010 Budget recommendation from the CEO that includes a recommendation for a tax increase as well as manpower reductions. The Board has some serious decisions to make prior to adopting a budget by March 1, 2010 as it relates to this year’s budget.
The reality of the situation is that we must adopt a balanced budget by March 1, 2010 and to do this we, as a Board, have to look for ways in which to decrease the operating expenses for DeKalb County.
I am appealing to the employees of DeKalb and asking for your input on ways in which the Board can balance this budget and continue to provide service to the citizens of DeKalb. I am seeking your input on suggestions on how we may accomplish salary savings and any revenue generating ideas you may have.
Additionally, the CEO and I will be working together to hold employee focus group meetings as an additional means of gathering your valuable input on the Budget for 2010. As the dates, times and locations are finalized we will get this information out to you. In the meantime, please send your ideas and suggestions to larryjohnson@co.dekalb.ga.us as the budget must be voted on by the end of February and the Board is in the process of reviewing the document, your ideas and suggestions should be provided as soon as possible.
Larry L. Johnson, Presiding Officer
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners
To All DeKalb County Employees,
In this current economy, housing prices and property values are down and as a result revenue projections for DeKalb County are also down. The Board of Commissioners has been presented with a 2010 Budget recommendation from the CEO that includes a recommendation for a tax increase as well as manpower reductions. The Board has some serious decisions to make prior to adopting a budget by March 1, 2010 as it relates to this year’s budget.
The reality of the situation is that we must adopt a balanced budget by March 1, 2010 and to do this we, as a Board, have to look for ways in which to decrease the operating expenses for DeKalb County.
I am appealing to the employees of DeKalb and asking for your input on ways in which the Board can balance this budget and continue to provide service to the citizens of DeKalb. I am seeking your input on suggestions on how we may accomplish salary savings and any revenue generating ideas you may have.
Additionally, the CEO and I will be working together to hold employee focus group meetings as an additional means of gathering your valuable input on the Budget for 2010. As the dates, times and locations are finalized we will get this information out to you. In the meantime, please send your ideas and suggestions to larryjohnson@co.dekalb.ga.us as the budget must be voted on by the end of February and the Board is in the process of reviewing the document, your ideas and suggestions should be provided as soon as possible.
Larry L. Johnson, Presiding Officer
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners
Friday, December 18, 2009
More Details Of Burrell Ellis' Budget Proposal
CrossRoadsNews did a better job of detailing Ellis' 2010 budget proposal than the AJC.
Click here for details
Click here for details
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
December 2009 Penison Board Meeting 12-10-09
We held our Pension Board meeting on 12-10-2009.
We asked that the Pension Board's two requests from the November pension meeting be implemented. 1. The Board made a request to have the pension code changed so that an employee that becomes disabled but was not injured on the job must be vested in the pension plan before they can receive a disability pension. Also, to change the code to reflect that an employee who is evaluated by a physician and can still work for the county in some capacity be given the opportunity to continue to work. 2. The Board requested a change in the pension code for reimbursement for educational training expenses for Board members.
Request for one employee applying for disability pension was tabled.
The addition of a do-it-yourself Pension Estimator to the county web site was discussed and will be implemented soon.
The Pension Board discussed the possibility of an early retirement incentive being offered to employees. This would help the commissioners balance the 2010 budget. An early retirement window would also reduce the chance that the county would need to lay off personnel. The Pension Board recommended two options. The options will be considered by the Board of Commissioners at the December 15th meeting. Please attend meeting if interested. I will post any new info when available.
Please post the attachment for employees that don’t have email.
James Butler
Pension Board Member
Please note a correction to my statement regarding the BOC considering the early retirement options tomorrow, December, 15th. The correct statement is the BOC will consider the options at their two meetings in January.
Also information on the two options will be available after the BOC makes a decision.
James Butler
Pension Board Member
We asked that the Pension Board's two requests from the November pension meeting be implemented. 1. The Board made a request to have the pension code changed so that an employee that becomes disabled but was not injured on the job must be vested in the pension plan before they can receive a disability pension. Also, to change the code to reflect that an employee who is evaluated by a physician and can still work for the county in some capacity be given the opportunity to continue to work. 2. The Board requested a change in the pension code for reimbursement for educational training expenses for Board members.
Request for one employee applying for disability pension was tabled.
The addition of a do-it-yourself Pension Estimator to the county web site was discussed and will be implemented soon.
The Pension Board discussed the possibility of an early retirement incentive being offered to employees. This would help the commissioners balance the 2010 budget. An early retirement window would also reduce the chance that the county would need to lay off personnel. The Pension Board recommended two options. The options will be considered by the Board of Commissioners at the December 15th meeting. Please attend meeting if interested. I will post any new info when available.
Please post the attachment for employees that don’t have email.
James Butler
Pension Board Member
Please note a correction to my statement regarding the BOC considering the early retirement options tomorrow, December, 15th. The correct statement is the BOC will consider the options at their two meetings in January.
Also information on the two options will be available after the BOC makes a decision.
James Butler
Pension Board Member
Friday, November 27, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Smoke and Mirrors
C.E.O Ellis states in a letter to all county employees "...there will be one unpaid holiday. Despite what you have heard, there have been no furloughs or unpaid workdays".
He just failed to mention "but you just wait to next week!"
Click here to read his letter.
Yet Lt. Padrick from Chief of Police O'Brien's office sent an email that reads in part, "all county employees will work their normally scheduled working days at a reduced rate of pay".
Click here to read Lt. Padrick's email.
Send in the clowns, because this is starting to look a lot like a circus.
He just failed to mention "but you just wait to next week!"
Click here to read his letter.
Yet Lt. Padrick from Chief of Police O'Brien's office sent an email that reads in part, "all county employees will work their normally scheduled working days at a reduced rate of pay".
Click here to read Lt. Padrick's email.
Send in the clowns, because this is starting to look a lot like a circus.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thankful For What?
First the commissioners stopped paying us for unused sick time. Now they are not paying us for working Friday November 27, which is a holiday. They also are taking the holiday away from those who just happen to be on a regular off day that day. Commissioner Stokes says, "It's just one holiday". We say to Commissioner Stokes: You're an idiot.
Over all it amounts to a 10% pay reduction for everyone during that pay period. Of course the pay reduction will appear on the first check of December, just in time for your last minute holiday shopping.
It is being predicted the 2010 county budget will be in the tank even more than 2009's. Grab those ankles ladies and gents, because the county commissioners have more in store for us.
Oh, and just in case we forget to mention later; Happy Thanksgiving!
Over all it amounts to a 10% pay reduction for everyone during that pay period. Of course the pay reduction will appear on the first check of December, just in time for your last minute holiday shopping.
It is being predicted the 2010 county budget will be in the tank even more than 2009's. Grab those ankles ladies and gents, because the county commissioners have more in store for us.
Oh, and just in case we forget to mention later; Happy Thanksgiving!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Employee Contribution To The Pension Plan To Be Increased
How much of an increase and when is still being discussed.
Click here for the July 2009 Pension Board meeting update or drill down in the right side column and click under "Pension/Retirement Information.
Click here for the July 2009 Pension Board meeting update or drill down in the right side column and click under "Pension/Retirement Information.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Burrell Ellis Makes Right Decision
The C.E.O. is making the right decision by taking away all non-essential take home vehicles, which the majority fall into that category.
A few examples of people or units that have take home cars and are never called out or it is never anticipated they will be called out are: ICP, Inspections, Motor Officers, Staff Aides, Taxi Unit, Record Room Director, TRT Commanders, TAC, Special Ops and Property Crimes detectives that are not on call. You probably could throw in Property Crimes supervisors too.
Maybe with money saved, updated equipment can be purchased or it will contribute to the merit pay increases being put back in place.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
May 2009 Pension Board Bi-Monthly Meeting Info Now Available
You can check the right side column under Pension/Retirement News or click here.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
The Obama administration wants to cut almost in half a benefits program for the families of slain police and safety officers
We strive to stay out of national politics, but this directly effects us as police officers.
Just in time for National Police Memorial Week, Obama announces he wants to cut Public Safety Officers' Death Benefits Program from $110 million to $60 million. Budget documents say the reduction is being made because "claims are anticipated to decrease," apparently because the number of officers killed in the line of duty has been decreasing.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, killings of police officers are up 21 percent so far in 2009, compared to the same period the year before.
Click here for more.
Just in time for National Police Memorial Week, Obama announces he wants to cut Public Safety Officers' Death Benefits Program from $110 million to $60 million. Budget documents say the reduction is being made because "claims are anticipated to decrease," apparently because the number of officers killed in the line of duty has been decreasing.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, killings of police officers are up 21 percent so far in 2009, compared to the same period the year before.
Click here for more.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
February 2009 Pension Statement Now Available.
Check under "Pension/Retirement Information" in the ride side column or click here.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Pension Board Bi -Monthly Report
Click here for the January 2009 Bi - Monthly Report. It is also linked in the right hand column.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Insurance switch leaves some DeKalb employees without coverage
Finally, the press picks up on it. But there are still untold amounts of employees and retirees having a hard time with their coverage.
CLICK HERE FOR AJC ARTICLE
CLICK HERE FOR AJC ARTICLE
Friday, January 9, 2009
Pension and Retiree Information Now Available
Answering a request, you can now view the minutes of the latest Pension Board Meetings. The link is located just under the last “comment” in the right side column. We will update it as information comes available.
We are only as good as the information we receive. If you learn of any news related to our pension or a particular retiree, please write us at: dekalbofficers@gmail.com or leave the information in any comment section and we will post it ASAP.
DeKalb Officers
We are only as good as the information we receive. If you learn of any news related to our pension or a particular retiree, please write us at: dekalbofficers@gmail.com or leave the information in any comment section and we will post it ASAP.
DeKalb Officers
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Houston, we still have a problem!
The Transition Team found the “shadowing” trips to Houston P.D. incur unnecessary travel cost. They also said: “Moreover, Houston is a municipality not similar in size or makeup to DeKalb, and there are adequate training facilities in Georgia”.
Well guess what folks, there is a meeting Thursday January 8, 2009 to finalize the agenda for the team of people leaving Sunday the 11th for Houston. Wait, maybe we mis-read what the Transition Team said:” trips to Houston P.D. incur unnecessary travel cost”. “Moreover, Houston is a municipality not similar in size or makeup to DeKalb, and there are adequate training facilities in Georgia”. Nope, we read it right.
While Terrell Bolton and Kesha “Margarita” Williams are planning field trips, police officers are facing a crisis at home. Many, many officers do not have health insurance because of the counties inability to cope with the forced insurance changes. There are officers who have children and spouses with serious illnesses, yet health care can not be afforded. This was not a choice by these officers; this was forced up on them.
Some say give Burrell Ellis time. Well, some people don’t have time. They need their insurance now. Mr. Ellis needs to acknowledge there is a problem and reassure his police and fireman he is doing everything in his power to correct this problem. Ellis ran for office knowing he would step in Vernon and Bolton's bullshit. Well, he just did, and it is getting on us!
Well guess what folks, there is a meeting Thursday January 8, 2009 to finalize the agenda for the team of people leaving Sunday the 11th for Houston. Wait, maybe we mis-read what the Transition Team said:” trips to Houston P.D. incur unnecessary travel cost”. “Moreover, Houston is a municipality not similar in size or makeup to DeKalb, and there are adequate training facilities in Georgia”. Nope, we read it right.
While Terrell Bolton and Kesha “Margarita” Williams are planning field trips, police officers are facing a crisis at home. Many, many officers do not have health insurance because of the counties inability to cope with the forced insurance changes. There are officers who have children and spouses with serious illnesses, yet health care can not be afforded. This was not a choice by these officers; this was forced up on them.
Some say give Burrell Ellis time. Well, some people don’t have time. They need their insurance now. Mr. Ellis needs to acknowledge there is a problem and reassure his police and fireman he is doing everything in his power to correct this problem. Ellis ran for office knowing he would step in Vernon and Bolton's bullshit. Well, he just did, and it is getting on us!
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