Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt's vision of a leaner, meaner work force began with the exodus of 44 long-tenured employees who were paid retirement bonuses for stepping down by July 1.
Leaner? Meaner? That’s like using those two adjectives to describe Rick or me (OK, some readers might argue that “meaner” could apply to me).
Pollitt’s new county workforce may be smaller. That doesn’t equate to being leaner. For years we have argued that Pollitt’s idea of “re-structuring” county government equates to reacting to a declining revenue stream. That is not re-structuring and it certainly doesn’t result in a “leaner, meaner workforce”.
One ironic example of Pollitt’s “leaner, meaner workforce” can be found in the Public Works Department. As we all know, new construction in Wicomico County has ground to a halt over the last 2 1/2 years. The county employs three building inspectors. Building inspectors deal with new construction. The county also employed (note the past tense) three fire inspectors. Fire inspectors deal with new AND existing construction.
The head of the fire protection division, Ed Torbert, retired. During the budget process, the council cut money from the salary account of Public Works and recommended to Pollitt that one building inspection position be cut.
What did Pollitt do? He has decided not to replace Mr. Torbert. Sources within the Pollitt administration claim that one of the three building inspectors has failed his commercial inspection certification TWICE. So … the county is short on fire inspectors while building inspectors, who have little or nothing to do, keep their jobs – including one who cannot inspect commercial construction.
We have also discovered that one or more county employees are keeping their civil service status – in violation of the county’s charter. We have also been informed that Pollitt has promoted an individual who does not possess the qualifications for the job as prescribed in the county’s personnel manual.
This is leaner and meaner?
5 comments:
The council has to confirm the department heads by charter. Let's hope that they do their job and don't buckle under due to Pollitt's crying. This is the best opportunity this county has had in years to change the management and it is up to the council to do so. Pollitt is a beauracrat and simply put won't use this opportunity.
Is that the executive council associate position?
Ed Torbert retired?? It's about time.
Just a side note. Although building permits for new construction are down, building permits for remodeling are up.
Comment on one or more county employees keeping their civil service status? Could be a retiree on continuous pay. They are paid until all paid leave has run out. (this allows them to keep their benefits and is only done for retirees) Then they are officially retired and cut off payroll.Nice benefit.
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