Columbus, Georgia

Agenda # CA



Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting



January 8, 2002



Agenda Report #532



TO: Mayor and Council



SUBJECT: Position Classification Plan and Pay Plan Amendment



INITIATED: Request of Sheriff?s Department







Recommendation: Approve an Ordinance amending the Position Classification Plan

and Pay Plan of the Columbus Consolidated Government by creating the position

of Deputy Sheriff, Grade 9.



Background: Ordinance No. 96-79 created a requirement that individuals

receiving entry level appointment as a Public Safety Officer, must possess an

associates or higher degree. Subsequently, Ordinance No. 00-31 authorized the

acceptance of the educational equivalency of an associates degree for hiring

purposes only, specifying that an associates or higher degree was still

required for promotion. The Sheriff requests the creation of the position

Deputy Sheriff, Grade 9. The educational level required for Sheriff?s Deputies

hired at Pay Grade 9 shall be the completion of 45 quarter hours or 30 semester

hours of post secondary education at a college or university accredited by the

Southern Association of Schools and Colleges, or its equivalent. Individuals

hired into the new Pay Grade shall have 36 months from date of hire, in which

to earn a total of 96 quarter hours or 63 semester hours of post secondary

education, which is considered the equivalent of an associate degree.

Employees hired under this provision who fail to attain the required

educational standards shall be removed from Pay Grade 9, Deputy Sheriff and

placed in Pay Grade 9, Correctional Officer. Employees earning the required

number of hours will be elevated to Pay Grade 10.



Analysis: There will be no budgetary impact. There will be a small initial

savings when new deputies are hired at Grade 9, but it is anticipated that

these employees will attain an associate degree and then move up in pay.



Legal: Approval of the Columbus Council is required.



Financial Considerations: No financial considerations other than listed in

Analysis.



Recommendation/Actions: Request of Sheriff?s Department.