To the Editor:
I am writing in response to Mr. Myers’ March 30 article covering the MetCom meeting on the prior Thursday, in order to provide some clarification, to give some additional information and to offer my opinions and sincere appreciation for the work of the entire administrative staff and employees at the Metropolitan Commission (MetCom). The comments that follow are my own and do not necessarily represent those of my fellow commissioners on the board nor those of MetCom employees.
Ms. Jacquelyn Meiser was hired as the result of a competitive selection process to serve as general counsel primarily, with collateral duties as public affairs officer secondarily (since those duties at the time were not deemed to require a separate full time position). The position was advertised and Ms. Meiser, and at least three other applicants, as I recall, were interviewed for the position. The selection panel chose Ms. Meiser as the best qualified, knowledgeable and experienced candidate and she was offered the job. Consideration of Ms. Meiser’s credentials, her two decades of experience with, and contributions to, the organization and the vetting of the appropriate compensation for the position, by an independent consultant, went into determining the salary Ms. Meiser was offered by the commissioners on the board at that time. That board included previous members, Commissioner Mummaugh and me. Also considered were the facts that continuing to hire outside legal counsel, contractually or on an hourly basis, for all the organization’s various needs had become very costly, imparted delays and involved attorneys that did not necessarily have either the specific knowledge of the industry or the intimate knowledge of the organization that Ms. Meiser possesses. Further, as a matter of accuracy, I must correct Mr. Myers’ assertion that Ms. Meiser is paid a higher salary than the executive director. In fact, she makes exactly the same amount as the current director and as that which she did when she competently and effectively held that position previously.
During my nearly four years as a commissioner on the board, I have frequently observed, and personally called upon, Ms. Meiser during off hours in the evenings, on weekends and even while on vacation with her family when necessary (and sometimes ultimately, not!). She has always responded without hesitation or complaint and rendered the support requested and more, often with extremely short deadlines.
Commissioner Barthelme posited that Ms. Meiser’s salary was “ridiculous” as compared to that of the county attorney and the state’s governor. While I don’t believe a comparison can be reasonably made to the governor, whose compensation package includes housing, transportation, and many other assistants and related perks, I’d add that even the county attorney position enjoys a significantly larger staff. In the case of the county attorney, I believe he has at his disposal a full time county assistant attorney, paralegal and administrative staff personnel and outside contractual counsel as necessitated. For additional comparison, Charles County is currently advertising for an attorney with 10 years of experience at a starting salary range of $150,000-175,000 annually (Mr. Sparling, take note).
MetCom Legal Assistant Ms. Kelly Jarboe, is currently only budgeted to work 32 hours per week. Given the enormous amount of legal documents that she helps process, it is not surprising that the financial office recommended Ms. Jarboe’s position be budgeted for 40 hours per week to more accurately reflect, in the operating budget, her actual hours typically worked. The documents I mention are only some of the ones I know about personally because I need to sign them as required of my position as chairman. Ms. Jarboe always has these easements, contracts, loan packets, agreements, etc. well prepared, organized and notated to facilitate my understanding of them and to ensure their timely processing. Ms. Jarboe has even repeatedly offered to deliver documents to me (and on occasion has) both for my convenience and to expedite the process for MetCom customers.
For her unwavering professionalism, efficiency and courtesy I am also personally grateful. Therefore I may have been remiss in not stating so at our last meeting. Maybe if a couple of my fellow commissioners had understood that, they would not have voted against passing the entire FY 2016 Operating Budget solely for a line item representing approximately 0.1 percent of the total – which is already being well-spent anyway.
For the rest of the professional, well-trained and, most importantly, dedicated staff and employees of the MetCom, much debate has ensued during the past few board meetings on their compensation. Fellow commissioners on the board have proposed or advocated cutting contributions to employees’ health insurance premiums, forcing them into “Obamacare,” reducing or eliminating other post-employment benefits (OPEB) and denying or reducing recommended (by the financial department) cost of living adjustments (COLA) and/or step increases within pay grade. At our March 12 meeting, the commissioners voted against funding a salary study to be conducted by an independent consultant to determine whether the currently used pay grade table is providing appropriate compensation for the employees. Now without the benefit of an independent consultant, some of those commissioners seem to have unilaterally, and arbitrarily, decided that they know better what those salaries ought to be.
At the March 30 meeting, to respectfully correct the previously mentioned article by The Bay Net, the board eventually voted to give employees a step in grade salary increase only to those at grade 13 (not grade 15, as reported) and below of the salary rate table. Note, grade levels range from level 10 to level 20. Grade 13 salary ranges are from a step 1 of $37,426 to a step 16 of $59,880). By way of comparison, with exception to two years in which they were equal, MetCom has lagged behind St. Mary’s County government in combined step and COLA increases granted their employees for the past 10 years (FY 2007 – FY 2016). MetCom’s employees’ average salary is slightly below the countywide mean (not just county government, but all) and of course well below the average salary on base.
After much discussion, explanation and debate, the board granted a 1 percent COLA for all but one employee. Ms. Meiser graciously offered to forego a COLA increase for herself if it would prevent the rest of the staff being denied the increase. At that point an amendment was petulantly added to the motion to pass the budget with a 1 percent COLA for all but Ms. Meiser.
As a water and sewer utility MetCom is rightly expected to provide service to its customers 24/7/365. It has been my observation that the dedicated employees and staff do indeed respond quickly to service interruptions no matter the day, time or weather conditions, even when temperatures are in the single or triple digits, rain, sleet, snow or hurricane. To quote a popular television show, they are “the hard-working men and women who earn an honest living doing jobs that make civilized life possible for the rest of us.” For that, I am personally very grateful and believe they deserve to be appreciated, respected and compensated accordingly.
Steven Willing, chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Commission