Policy changes on the horizon for employees

Heather M. Smith

Staff writer

A new pay raise program could go into effect for employees of Collin County government.

During Monday’s commissioners’ court meeting, Cynthia Jacobson, department head for human resources, presented “her baby” to the court. Her “pay-for-performance program” calls for a change in the way pay raises are awarded. The HR department worked with the Sheriff’s office and Constables’ offices to phase in the customized program. Instead of the uniform pay-increase method, which rewarded average and exceptional employees equally, the new program bases raises on individual job performance.

“It’s been a benefit because we’re able to point out to employees their weaknesses and strengths,” said Constable Paul Elkins. “For employees who have been here a long time, it’s a benefit for them because they can get an extra check that they normally didn’t get before if they’re topped out in pay. We’re pleased with the program so far; it benefits the department if employees are more productive.”

Under the program there are no automatic pay increases. Employees are given specific objectives, each department is treated individually and the budget is set to ensure that no department will go over budget. The program gives supervisors and employees the opportunity to rate their performance and offer better raises to top-performers; it also tracks development and training goals.

The National Association of Counties, NACo, recommended the county for a 2008 Achievement Award for this effort.

Jacobson also presented the court with the option to approve or deny a waiver policy regarding the panniculectomy procedure. Panniculectomy is an invasive surgical procedure most often performed by a plastic surgeon and most patients are those that have had a significant weight loss. The procedure removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen.

Marvin Wilson, Collin County resident, spoke to the court about this agenda item. He stated that the court should not allow this procedure to be covered under the employees’ health insurance plan because it is an elective, cosmetic surgery.

Jacobson said her department recently received a second request for the panniculectomy procedure.

Currently, the employee’s health insurance plan covers the Lap-Band surgery. The adjustable gastric banding system is for people 18 and up who are at least 100 pounds overweight, or have a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40 or BMI over 35 experiencing two medical conditions due to the weight. Insurance covers 100 percent of the hospital stay and 50 percent of the physician's cost. Jacobson said approximately 150 employees have received the Lap-Band surgery since 2001 when it was approved by the FDA and covered under medical insurance.

With a 5-0 vote, the court voted to not pass the wavier policy, which means while insurance covers the Lap-Band procedure it will not cover the panniculectomy procedure. The court also decided to revisit the issue of weather or not the Lap-Band procedure should continue to be covered.

Contact Heather Smith at HSmith@acnpapers.com.

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