Department of Corrections Pay Increase Emergency Declaration Resolution of 1998
PR 12-702

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A PROPOSED RESOLUTION IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

To declare the existence of an emergency, with respect to the need to amend the District of Columbia Government Comprehensive Merit Personnel Act of 1978 to authorize during Fiscal Year 1998 the submission to the Council by the Mayor proposed compensation system changes for all non-union career and excepted service employees of the District of Columbia Department of Corrections.

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the "Department of Corrections Pay Increase Emergency Declaration Resolution of 1998".

Sec. 2. There exists an immediate crisis regarding the ability of the Department of Corrections to ensure the safety and security of the community and a safe and secure system for housing District of Columbia Code felons during the phased closure of the Lorton Correctional Complex. Since the enactment of the National Capital Revitalization Act of 1997, the Department of Corrections has been unable to attract and retain sufficient staff and has experienced an unprecedented increase in its attrition rate.

(a) The unprecedented attrition rate has substantially increased overtime and has adversely impacted court ordered staffing mandates.

(b) Stabilization of the workforce is a critical priority in order to maintain public and institutional safety and security through out the Lorton Closure transition.

(c) The Compensation System Change will be phased in over Fiscal Year 1998 and Fiscal Year 1999 and will modify Department of Corrections pay schedules for career and excepted service non-union employees to reflect comparable federal pay rates. This should improve staff retention, afford the Department of Corrections the opportunity to recruit, reduce court fines for staffing non-compliance, realize a cost savings from reduced overtime, and improve morale and attendance.

Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the Department of Corrections Pay Increase Emergency Amendment Act of 1998, be adopted after a single reading.

Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.