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CCRPC committee approves several benefit changes, defers paid family & medical leave decision
Summary
The CCRPC Joint Finance & Executive Committee approved a package of benefit items (Paid Time Off, Short-term Disability, Holidays, Annual Wellness Benefit, TDM Commute Benefit) and postponed a decision on paid family & medical leave and any retirement contribution increase until more insurer cost data are available.
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Joint Finance & Executive Committee approved multiple personnel benefit changes and postponed decisions on paid family & medical leave and retirement contribution increases during its May 1 meeting.
Charlie Baker, Executive Director, led review of proposed personnel policy amendments tied to a compensation study. Committee members discussed salary ranges, retirement plan options (VMERS Defined Benefit Group C versus a Defined Contribution plan), and the possibility of adding a 2% employer retirement contribution. Charlie confirmed current staff salaries fall within the proposed ranges and said the compensation study did not indicate CCRPC benefits were outpacing peers.
Bard Hill moved, and Jacki Murphy seconded, to approve benefit items 3 through 7 in the Benefits & Compensation memo (Paid Time Off, Short-term Disability, Holidays, Annual Wellness Benefit, and a TDM Commute Benefit). The motion carried unanimously. Committee members debated a proposed vacation cash-out option and noted it could conflict with the agency’s interest in encouraging staff to use PTO; proponents described personal reasons it can assist with major expenses such as home purchases.
The committee postponed a decision on item 1 (paid family & medical leave) because the insurance carrier had not yet provided firm cost information. Bard Hill requested a cost comparison of options a, b, and c to determine which approach would be affordable. Because family & medical leave costs could affect the retirement contribution decision, the committee likewise deferred any increase in the employer retirement contribution to the June meeting. Charlie Baker said the budget contains conservative estimates, allowing the board-level budget vote to proceed in May without finalized personnel policy choices.
Next steps: staff will obtain cost comparisons for paid family & medical leave options and report back at the June meeting; the retirement contribution decision remains pending.
