WyBDD approves pay increase, unveils new para-transit vehicle

Wyandot County Board of Developmental Disabilities members (from left) Carl Dilts, Richard Verhoff and Judy Snyder stand alongside a new para-transit vehicle that was paid for in part by a grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The Wyandot County Board of Developmental Disabilities has approved a 1 percent pay raise for all employees and an additional 2 percent merit-based increase for the 2012-13 program year.
“The finance committee met and took a look at comparable wages in the six-county area to see how the wages of our employees stack up with the other employees from other counties,” WyBDD Vice President Richard Verhoff said during Thursday evening’s board meeting. “… The board recognizes that it is in the best interest of the program and the individuals and families we serve to recruit, obtain and maintain the long-term employment of the very highest quality personnel within the funds available. The board’s approach to employee compensation shall be to neither lead nor lag behind the competitive average of like-sized county board programs and local public schools.”
While the 1 percent increase will be given across the board to all employees. The additional 2 percent will be available only to employees who meet the merit criteria to be established by the board.
“To be eligible for a merit, an employee would have to be in good disciplinary standing with the board,” Superintendent Todd Dilley said. “We would look back over a 12-month period.”
In other business, Dilley announced Angeline has received a new para-transit vehicle. The vehicle includes 12 passenger seats and two spaces for riders with wheelchairs.
“With this new vehicle, we will have three vehicles now that are 2010 year or newer that are doing our daily adult services transportation rounds,” Dilley said. “This is a more reliable fleet than we’ve had for quite some time, so we’re really pleased about that.”
The $60,000 vehicle was paid for in part by an Ohio Department of Transportation grant.
“Our local match share of the grant was just under $11,000, so we got a really good deal,” Dilley said.
Separately, Dilley announced Camille Swartz is the new early intervention specialist at Angeline. Swartz, who previously worked as a preschool classroom aide at the school, will take over for Marsha Rump, who will retire June 1.
“She’s actually already made that move so that she will have an opportunity for the next three weeks to spend time with Marsha before she retires and learn the ropes,” Dilley said. “It’s been great that we were able to identify somebody that didn’t have to spend two to four weeks going through all the pre-employment stuff and we were able to get Camille some time with Marsha while she’s still here.”
Lastly, Dilley announced the annual 5K run and 1-mile fitness walk to benefit the Wyandot County Special Olympics will begin at 7 p.m. May 25.
“Anybody interested in running or walking, just call us and register,” Dilley said.
For more information or to register for the event, call 419-294-4901.
The board will hold its next meeting at 7:30 p.m. June 21 at Angeline.

By CHANDA NEELY
Staff writer

Posted by Daily Chief on May 18, 2012. Filed under Featured,Local News,Recent Headlines,Recent Pictures. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry