The Idaho Transportation Board, acknowledging the value it places on department employees throughout the state, last week approved a plan to increase its investment in salaries by more than $1.8 million in June.

Board members approved a change in employee compensation (CEC) package of at least 2 percent for all employees who meet performance standards identified in their annual review.

'The salary increases cannot adequately express our appreciation to department employees for the services they render and the value they add to Idaho.' – Transportation Board Chairman Charles Winder

Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, with strong support from the Legislature, recommended the compensation package as a way to maintain the state’s high quality workforce. The last general salary increase for state employees was on July 1, 2001.

"We really appreciate the commitment of our employees who worked the past two years without a salary increase" said Sue Simmons, administrator of ITD's Administrative Services."While we are glad to provide this CEC package, effective June 6, we really wish we could have done more."

Employees whose performance “meets expectations” will receive a 2 percent permanent increase. Those who exceed expectations will be awarded a 2.25 percent increase, while employees who significantly exceed expectations will receive 2.5 percent.

According to the board resolution approved April 16 in Lewiston, the change in compensation will be effective June 6, payable on the first pay date in July (Friday, July 2). The resolution indicates the “FY05 performance-based CEC implementation is consistent with the guidelines issued on March 31 by the Division of Financial Management, Division of Human Resources and the State Controller’s Office.”

In House Concurrent Resolution No. 47, the Legislature also authorized an additional, temporary 1 percent salary increase if the state’s general fund collections exceed 2004 Joint Appropriations and Finance Committee revenue projections by at least $5 million.

“The salary increases cannot adequately express our appreciation to department employees for the services they render and the value they add to Idaho,” said board chairman Charles Winder. “We hope these increases will be viewed as the board’s way of saying ‘thank you’ for your commitment to excellence.”

Supervisors should have received a memo from ITD's Human Resource Office explaining how to incorporate the salary increases in their budgeting process. Here is a link to the HR memo.