County inks four-year contract with association

A four-year labor contract with the Douglas County Employees’ Association was approved by county commissioners last week.

A 4-percent cost of living adjustment is included in the contract for between January and June of this year. That adjustment will cost the county $300,584, with half coming from the general fund and the rest across other county funds.

Human Relations Director Wendy Lang said that the new agreement was effective after commissioners voted on Jan. 4.

The new contract replaces the one set to expire on June 30.

“Douglas County Employees Association and the county felt it was important to begin negotiations early,” she said. “Both of the parties did an excellent job holding very effective discussions.”

The employee association represents 194 county workers.

Lang said that the new contract includes some of the recommendations from the classification study conducted last year.

Cost of living increases went from 0-2 percent to 0-5 percent to handle some of the big swings in the economy that affects the cost of living.

Revisions to the merit increase amounts were changed to a numerical amount of 1, 2 or 3-percent instead of fractions.

There was also a provision that allows the county to cover the first 2 percent of public retirement increases.

The contract also includes an increase in sick leave from 88 to 96 hours and eliminates the incentive program where workers received money for not using sick time.

“I appreciate the fact you jumped on this right away,” Commission Chairman Wes Rice said. “One of the most important assets in this county are our employees. We need to take care of our employees and they need to know that we are being as fair as we can be.”

Lang told commissioners that the implementation of the new merit system could cause some additional compensation costs.

“The net effect is anticipated to be minimal and can be absorbed into the budgets of future fiscal years,” she said.

Association Vice President Jen Bell said she felt the new contract will improve both recruiting and retaining new employees.

“The association believes the agreement is a good thing for both employees and the county,” she said.

The county wanted to clear the decks before negotiations start with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Protective Association, which expires June 30. The association represents around 90 deputies.

That two-year contract was approved last spring, but because deputies’ previous five-year contract expired in June 2022 the first year covered up to June 2023.

Deputies and their supporters were vocal in urging the county to come to an agreement through the winter of 2022-23. Also expiring on June 30 is the Sheriff’s Sergeants Bargaining Unit.