13 - Rewarding Ideas Protecting our community's health and the environment by providing solid waste and sewer collection services. www.cmsdca.gov Costa Mesa Sanitary District ….an Independent Special District Memorandum T o: Board of Directors From: Scott Carroll, General Manager Date: February 25, 2014 Subject: Rewarding Ideas Program Summary Last year, the Board of Directors approved Administrative Regulations No. 20.40 the Rewarding Ideas Program , which is designed to encourage employees to generate ideas for organizational improvements and provide a system for responding to and recognizing adopted ideas. Employees are eligible to receive a monetary reward of up to $1,000 for ideas that generate significant savings to the organization. S ta ff Recommendation That the Board of Directors approve s rewarding Dyana Wick $100 i n the category of improv ing service, safety conditions, and/or morale. Analysis Ms. Wick ’s suggestion is to improve moral and reward employee longevity by adopting a program that encourages loyalty and makes a positive impression from the new employee’s first day with the District. This would be accomplished by: At the new employee ’s o rientation, give them a CMSD monogrammed canvas tote bag to welcome them to the team. On an employee’s anniversary date, the employee will receive an item with either their name and/or the CMSD logo monogrammed on it to commemorate their service to the District. Each year would be a different item, such as a throw blanket, umbrella, insulated cooler, tumbler, etc. Ms. Wick believes her suggestion would benefit the District by motivating, rewarding and recognizing the employee’s commitment to the District. She indicates this may ITEM NO. 13
Board of Directors February 25, 2014 Page 2 of 2 improve employee retention , which would result in a reduction of costs for recruiting and training new employees. The recognition of co ntinued service could also result in increased employee morale. Strategic Plan Element & Goal This item complies wi t h the objective and strategy of Strategic Element 6 .0, Personnel/Organization Management , which states the following: Objective: To employ and retain a high quality, motivated workforce. Strategy: We will do this by utilizing sound policies and personnel practices, offering competitive compensation and benefits, providing opportunities for training, development and professional growth, while ensuring a safe and secure workplace. Legal Review Not applicable Financial Review The cost for a CMSD monogrammed tote bag would range from approximately $15 to $40 depending upon the type of tote bag selected. As the number of new employees in a year is low, the District would fund this on a pay as you go basis, rather than ordering in bulk. For the annual recognition , the various items included in the suggestion would range from $15 to $100. With 14 budgeted positions, this equa ted to an annual cost ranging from $210 to $1,400. For the current fiscal year, the District does not have sufficient funds available in the staff development account. Should the Board desire t o approve this annual cost in the 13 -14 fiscal year, funds co uld be transferred from the I ncentive P ay budget. In sub se quent years this program would be included in the proposed budget. The cost of the reward to Dyana Wick is $1 0 0 . There are adequate funds available in the Rewarding Ideas Program budget to appro ve this award. Public Notice Process Copies of this report are on file and will be included with the entire agenda packet for the February 2 5 , 201 4 Board of Directors regular meeting at District Headquarters and on District’s website. Alternative Actions 1. Approve a lessor amount to Dis trict employee Dyana Wick . 2. Do not approve the reward. Attachment A: Ms. Dyana Wick -Completed Rewarding Ideas Program S uggestion Form Reviewed by: Wendy H. Davis Interim Finance Manager