HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-14-0023 Cover MemoSEOPW Board of Commissioners Meeting
March 31, 2014
SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN/PARK WEST
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
To: Board Chair Keon Hardemon
and Members of the CRA Board
From: Clarence E. Woods, III
Executive Director
Date: March 21, 2014 File: 14-00262
Subject: Resolution Ratifying Amendment and
Implementation of the CRA's Employee
Handbook
References:
Enclosures: Supporting Documentation; Resolution
BACKGROUND:
The attached Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community
Redevelopment Agency ("CRA") ratifies the amendment to, and implementation of, the CRA's Employee
Handbook, effective October 1, 2013 ('Handbook").
Personnel policies help implement a consistent approach to management and provide a framework for uniform
administration of the terms and conditions of employment. Additionally, such policies enable employees to
understand the justification for certain employment -related decisions, and allow for an organization to efficiently
and effectively manage its workforce.
The current personnel policy was first established on August 19, 2004, and was based, in part, on the executive
benefits authorized by the Board of Commissioners, by Resolution No. CRA-02-175. Since the establishment of
thecurrent policy, general employment practices have evolved to adapt to the legal and financial realities of
employing staff as a public entity. The current policy did not include various provisions generally deemed
necessary for inclusion in an employment policy. Additionally, modifications to other provisions in the current
policy were required in an effort to reduce various costs associated with the employment of staff. For example,
the current policy permitted the unlimited accrual of vacation time for regular full time employees, and allowed
for the payment of same at any time. The proposed Handbook modifies the current policy to require employees
to utilize their accrual within the calendar or risk forfeiture of unused leave balances.
With respect to other community redevelopment agencies, the Auditor General of the State of Florida has
previously opined that policies, such as the Handbook, must be adopted by the agency's governing board.
The Handbook's effective date of October 1, 2013 was selected in order to coincide with the CRA's fiscal year.
JUSTIFICATION:
Section 163.356, Florida Statutes, permits a community redevelopment agency to directly employ staff for the
operation of the agency. The Handbook is required in order to properly advise employees of their rights and
responsibilities in relation to their employment with the CRA.
FUNDING:
This Resolution does not commit funding.