Committee approves updated director of health job description and recommends pay-level change; vote 5–1

The Franklin City Personnel Committee voted 5–1 on March 16 to approve an updated job description and Job Analysis Questionnaire (JAQ) rating for the director of health and to apply the associated pay-level adjustment.

Staff explained the JAQ reflects a recognized change in the health department's level of service (noting state recognition of a level-three status) and that the 2026 budget included the position at the higher pay level. Committee discussion focused on whether the adjustment was a merit increase or a technical pay-level correction tied to certification and on whether the increase had been budgeted and how a retroactive effective date should be handled.

Members debated options for timing: making the pay effective on council approval, effective Jan. 1 because it was budgeted, or retroactive to the accreditation date. Kelly (Director of Administration, functional label) noted payroll could treat the change as effective on council approval or make it retroactive where appropriate. The motion approved by the committee consolidated approval of the updated job description and application of the pay-level change; the committee recorded five yays and one nay on the motion.

The director of health was not present at the meeting; committee members and staff noted she is due to give birth soon and that the board of health had previously reviewed the upgrade. Staff estimated the annual cost impact discussed during the meeting as modest (staff-quoted approximate annual figure discussed during debate). The matter will be forwarded to the common council for final approval and any payroll retroactive-processing decisions.