Tiered wage system in health department aims to save money

Altman plans to hire new
supervisors at lower pay rates.

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — A tiered wage system is in the work s for some positions at the Youngstown City Health District as a way to save money and encourage city council to replace employees lost through the city’s buyout program.

Health Commissioner Neil H. Altman said at Monday’s board of directors meeting he will bring his proposed plan of action to address the loss of employees and cut costs to the board at its next meeting at 8 a.m. March 3.

Though details have not been worked out, Altman said he wants to hire sanitarians-in-training to replace the certified sanitarians who are retiring. The SITs would start at a lower wage and would work under the supervision of regular sanitarians for two years.

In addition, Altman plans to replace supervisors who are leaving, such as the director of environmental health, nursing supervisor and director of nursing, at lower rates of pay than those who are leaving.

It doesn’t make sense to pay someone with less experience at the same rate as the person they are replacing, Altman said.

The health commissioner said his department is losing 11 people because of the buyout. Some already have retired, and at the meeting, five more submitted resignations, which the board accepted.

Those who announced their resignations, and their effective dates, are: Wayna Hightower, nursing director, and Ruth Rhodes, nursing supervisor, both March 31; John Slanina and Elizabeth Axe, sanitarians, both Feb. 29; and Debra Cobbin, educator aide, March 31.

The positions will not be filled until the amount they would have been paid in wages equals the amount of their severance pay.

After that, Altman said he is hopeful council will place money in the health department’s budget to replace the employees, albeit at lower pay rates.

In other action, the board accepted grants totaling $257,814 — $164,590 for the infant immunization program; $41,141 for the sexually transmitted diseases clinic; and $52,083 for the homeless assistance nurse program.

According to Susan Burnham, coordinator of the immunization program, during 2007, 320 shots were given to 88 children from birth to 35 months at the health department and its satellite clinics. The program also pays for assessment of immunization records at doctor’s offices and WIC sites, and for public education, Burnham said.

alcorn@vindy.com