As the Charles County Government begins to make preparations for the Fiscal Year 2011 budget it is exploring options to help offset the anticipated state budget cuts and declining revenues.
In an effort to reduce the Fiscal Year 2011 Operating Budget the Departments of Human Resources and Fiscal and Administrative Services proposed an Early Retirement Incentive Plan and submitted it for County Commissioner approval.
On Tuesday, Dec. 8, the proposed Plan was approved by the Board of Commissioners. The approval is contingent upon the County Administrator achieving a financially feasible salary savings plan with the outside agencies, such as the Sheriff’s Office, with employees who are eligible for the program as it was passed.
The Charles County Pension Plan includes employees of the Charles County Government, Circuit Court, State’s Attorneys Office, Soil Conservation and administrative staff at the Sheriff’s Office. Sworn deputies, correctional officers and dispatchers belong to a separate pension plan and are not included in this ERIP reduction proposal.
The Early Retirement Incentive Plan allows for staff-friendly workforce reductions and salary savings. Under the ERIP, Pension Plan participants who are eligible for early or normal retirement – age 52 or older with five or more years of service – on or before July 31, 2010 may add up to three years of service and three years of age to their benefit calculations. It is estimated at this time that 218 employees are eligible for the ERIP with a goal to realize approximately 25 percent participation.
Dr. Rebecca Bridgett, County Administrator commented, “The County Commissioners took a proactive step implementing an employee-friendly way to reduce staff and the potential significant salary savings realized by anticipated employee retirements will help to reduce the Fiscal Year 2011 Operating Budget.”
