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Author: Pam Hylton,  Assistant City Manager/Director of Human Resources

In July, the City began its participation in a community assessment process sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging.  The Area Agency on Aging of Southwestern Illinois is participating in a statewide initiative to assess the preparedness of local communities to meet the challenges of our aging population.  The Area Agency on Aging represents seven counties and receives federal funding for aging programs for those persons 60 and older.  The communities of New Baden, Edwardsville, Highland, Madison, and Venice are also participating in or have recently completed this survey process.

Nancy Berry will be chairing the assessment committee.  The committee is comprised of Maryann Allred, Karen Szegedy, Mike Keefe, Elizabeth Davis, Frank Klostermann, and Assistant City Manager Pam Hylton.  The committee will be completing a community survey tool whose results will then be compiled and presented to a focus group for comment.  The results of the survey will be very helpful to the City for strategic planning purposes, especially when considering Goal #6 Preferred Place to Live.

City employees and citizens alike are beginning to see their children stay in the “nest” a little bit longer than expected.  As of June 1st, the provisions of Public Act 95-0958, a new Illinois law gave parents with insurance policies that provide coverage for dependents the right to elect coverage for qualifying dependents up to age 26 and up to age 30 for military veteran dependents regardless of student status.

The new law does not require employers to offer health insurance benefits or to offer dependent coverage benefits to employees. In addition, the law does not require individual policies to include dependent coverage.

The opportunity for parents to continue to provide coverage for young adults who have traditionally been in a stage of limbo at this phase to have health coverage is welcomed by many.  However, with any new law, there will be fine print.  Since the passing of the new law, employers now have to verify the dependent relationships for all persons covered over the age of 19.  For those dependents that do not meet the traditional definition of a dependent (relationship, residence, age, and % of support provided by parents) imputed income (income that may not be seen as cash, but instead comes in the form of a benefit paid by the employer), is added to the member’s gross pay and taxed accordingly.

The cost of health insurance has risen in double digit percentages over the past years.  For many, the minimal tax implication that could be involved will not outweigh the reassurance that their dependent is covered should the need arise.

Author: Pam Hylton,  Assistant City Manager/Director of Human Resources

On Wednesday, June 10, the City Manager and the Human Resources Department conducted the 3rd Annual New Employee Orientation.  New Employee Orientation (NEO) is designed to familiarize newly hired employees with the City and its functions, as well as our personnel rules and regulations.  Fourteen employees attended the day-long seminar which included City Manager Bob Knabel discussing the City’s Mission, Vision, and Values and the City’s efforts to become a high performance organization. 

Human Resource Coordinator Erica Mosley led a discussion on the organizational structure, personnel manual, and the efforts of the Workforce Focus Team.  The day wrapped up with a tour of all City facilities. 

The intended outcome of the NEO program is to give our employees a foundation of knowledge about the City so they can work as a team to serve the community.

Through the University of Collinsville initiative, also known as “UC”, the City is offering an introductory 10-week Spanish Course to its employees beginning April 7, 2009. 

This basic Spanish course is designed to train and prepare our employees in an effort to provide superior customer service. The employees recognized a need to accommodate the City’s growing Latino population and the City has responded.  This course will begin with cultural awareness, then basic language concepts, and end with job specific terminology and form translation. 

This is one of many courses being offered through UC, in an effort to promote life long learning, while enhancing the quality of the City’s workforce. 

 

On Thursday, March 5, the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon was held at the Gateway Center.  The event is designed to honor employees who have achieved milestone anniversaries with the City.  Employees were invited who have five years to thirty five years of service to the City.  The Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and Department Heads were also in attendance to celebrate these employees for their dedication to the City.

 

Author:  Pam Hylton, Assistant City Manager

The upcoming year is shaping up to be a busy one for the City’s Human Resources Department.  The HR Department consists of two full-time employees, Assistant City Manager Pam Hylton and Human Resources Coordinator Erica Mosley, with some part-time assistance from an Administrative Intern.

The 2009 work plan for this Department includes the creation of City of Collinsville University (CCU) courses.  The objective of CCU is to provide leadership, supervisory, and technical training for City employees at a reduced cost by bringing the training to the employees.  The HR Department will also introduce a formal recognition program to recognize employees for providing superior service to our residents.

In an effort to reduce employee benefit costs, the HR Department will institute a comprehensive wellness program and an employee health fair.  These programs will allow us to work toward our objective of reducing health care claim costs and sick leave usage.  An employee suggestion program is also planned for 2009 to give City employees the opportunity to share their ideas on how to improve the services we provide.

All of these objectives are intended to make the City of Collinsville the preferred place to work and to make our employees the very best providers of superior municipal services to you, the residents.

Author: Pam Hylton, Assistant City Manager

Updates to improve service – This past week, the Human Resources Department updated its webpage in response to the increased number of inquires regarding employment. Now citizens are able to get easily accessible information on available jobs and how the hiring process works for the City of Collinsville. 

Laborer List – The Eligibility List for the position of Public Works Laborer was completed during the week of November 24, 2008.  Applicants that made it through this phase of the hiring process will be notified by mail regarding their ranking.  This list will expire in 2010. 

Annual enrollments and projects underway – Human Resources is embarking on the Performance Appraisal season as well as preparing for its annual Aflac enrollment. The Aflac enrollment is an optional benefit that allows employees to plan ahead, determine, and prepare for their individual needs.  The Performance Appraisal tool is in place as a measure to make certain that the needs of our external and internal customers are met.  This tool allows HR to stay accountable and committed to being a provider of Superior Municipal Service.