County to Review Employee Compensation, Benefit Costs

A task force of 11 employees representing most major Gwinnett County departments, including courts and the Sheriff’s Department, has been formed to review compensation and benefit costs of Gwinnett County employees.

The new task force, appointed by Gwinnett County Administrator Glenn Stephens, will make recommendations regarding all aspects of employee compensation including retirement and insurance plans, holiday policies and annual and sick leave. According to county officials, personnel costs represent the largest expense of many departmental budgets.

“As governments across the country seek ways to operate more efficiently, the subject of employee compensation and benefits has been front-page news recently,” said Stephens in a released statement. “This task force will look at similar issues in our organization and make recommendations that all employees will then help prioritize later this year.”

District 3 Commissioner Mike Beaudreau, who advocates reducing personnel costs by five percent this year, said he supports the creation of the task force and looks forward to hearing its recommendations.

The task force is expected to present its plan to Stephens later this year.