People

 

For all the talk about machines replacing people, current widespread staffing shortages prove that there is no substitute for the real thing.

Attracting the most qualified employees to serve the citizens of the County is an ongoing challenge. Being able to offer compensation—salary and benefits—packages in line with neighboring jurisdictions with deeper pockets is important to Goochland's success.

On 22222 Director of Human Resources Jessica Rice presented her annual county workforce report to the Board of Supervisors.

As of the end of calendar 2021, Rice reported, there were 159 full time and 39 part time county employees: 99 full time and five part time Constitutional Officer employees for a total of 302.

Average salary was $60,610, up from $56,031 in 2020. The average age was 43 with 181 males and 116 females. Minorites comprise 15.2 percent of the county workface up from 14.2 percent in 2020. The percentage of employees who live in Goochland is 42.1 up from 40.4. Rice said this is low, it tends to be upwards of 60 percent in other counties.

Rice said that 2021 was a record-breaking year for county employment, with the number of jobs posted almost doubling from 2020. Forty-seven jobs were posted, attracting 536 applications, of which 18.5 percent were from minorities, fewer than in the previous year. Of the 70 new hires, 21.4 percent were minorities, down from 25.6 percent in 2020. There was a 13.2 percent turnover rate. Rice explained that some of the postings are for more than one position, which explains how 47 postings yielded 70 new hires.

There will be no increased costs for health insurance in FY23, said Rice. She said that the Goochland health benefit plan is "one of the richest" around and is an effective recruitment tool that has brought good candidates onto county staff.

Requested positions that were not able to be funded include a part-time general administrative assistant; a full-time assistant county attorney; a human resources manager; two motorist assistants for the Sheriff's office; two fire-rescue providers; one animal protection officer; a groundskeeper; a marketing coordinator for parks and recreation; and an environmental planner.

The county raised its minimum wage to $12 an hour as of January 1, 2022, in anticipation of state mandates, which kick in on July 1. As proposed, the FY 23 budget includes a three percent merit increase. However, a compensation benchmark study is in process that could change salary increases. This, said Rice, will look at surrounding jurisdictions and some private sector employers to determine if pay band adjustments are needed and if some positions should be salaried or have overtime pay.

Rice expects the results of the study sometime in April but will be able to work with the compensation in the proposed budget.

Goochland is fortunate to have a high caliber workforce and must seeks ways to retain these fine individuals. They have mortgages to pay, children to educate and should be adequately compensated for the skills they bring to serve our citizens.

This report did not include data from the school division.