HR report: overtime fell after the county moved some crews from four‑10s to five‑8s; HR recommends keeping five‑8 schedule

Human resources presented an analysis comparing overtime pay at Road & Bridge and Facilities before and after those departments moved between a 4‑10 hour workweek and 5‑8 schedules.

Key HR findings: HR reported that in February 2022 (when Road & Bridge used a 4‑10 schedule) that department employed 37 people and paid $92,681.88 in overtime wages. In February 2024, after moving to a five‑8 schedule and with 27 employees, overtime was $34,766.06, a reduction HR said equated to $57,915.82 in overtime savings between the two snapshots. For Facilities, HR reported that overtime dropped from $22,725.82 (10 employees, 4‑10 schedule) in 2022 to $10,105.92 (14 employees, five‑8) in 2024, a savings of $12,619.90.

HR recommendation: based on the payroll snapshots and operational considerations, HR recommended maintaining the five‑8 schedule to ensure consistent, reliable service delivery and financial responsibility.

Board discussion: commissioners debated the findings. Some said a four‑10 schedule supports retention and is used widely by municipalities and industry, and urged a pilot if the board wants to revisit the schedule. Road & Bridge staff and management described mowing production estimates tied to different schedules; management said idealized production under five‑8s could yield higher monthly miles mowed in some scenarios. Commissioners asked for additional production and invoicing detail to support comparisons and for a possible six‑month trial if a move were considered.

Next steps: HR and department management agreed to provide more granular productivity and overtime breakdowns to the board and to support any future pilot with measurable production goals.