ODJFS joint budget committee submits recommendations to director

April 25, 2008 - The Joint Budget Committee — made up of union leaders from both OCSEA and SEIU 1199 as well as ODJFS management — recently worked together to develop cost saving ideas to address Ohio's budget shortfall.

Aimed at cost-saving initiatives to save jobs and maintain quality services, the committee members' recommendations were based on suggestions from all ODJFS employees.

The committee submitted its recommendations to the ODJFS Director on April 7.  

 Recommendations with Immediate Impact

1. Identify rehired retirees, intermittent, ETAs and temporary workers for abolishment prior to impacting permanent employees.
2. Eliminate positions through attrition
3. Reduce the ratio of supervisors to employees
4. Convert as many time and material contracts in MIS to existing workers because they have the time to do the work.
5. Realign work to other state agencies where appropriate
   

 Recommendations with Long-Term Impact (*)
* = may require additional committee work

1. Voluntary Cost Reductions (i.e. shorter work week) voluntary participation with a commitment of at least one quarter within a FY.
2. Consolidation of offices and facilities where possible
3. Review all contracts for possible conversion to state workers.
4. Refer all programmatic cost savings to their respective program areas.

The ODJFS budget plan and rationale is expected sometime during the next month. OCSEA will be in contact with members as soon as the plan is released to the union.

On a related note, eligibility for the Early Retirement Incentive Plan (ERIP) is estimated to be at around 800 employees. More than 300 ODJFS employees have indicated that they would be interested in taking advantage of the ERIP.

Joint Budget Committee participants included: Ronna Harding, Pam Fisher, Aleta Guilford, Pamela Anderson, Jeanne Ashley, Ronn Kolbash, Janet Histed, Karen Baker, Renee Nzeogu, Tommy Jones, James Benedict, William Culver, Barbara Montgomery, Rob Bruni, Peggy Tanksley, Pam Anderson, Madonna Gray, Deb Connolly, Anissia Goodwin, Khalid Jalil, Victor Dandridge and Carolyn Borden-Collins.

OCSEA leaders recognize each committee member for sacrificing time and actively participating in this project in addition to maintaining the functions of their positions.

Thanks goes out to Sandra Kennedy, Director of Kettering Center for Continuing Education, Wright State University served as the facilitator

See Related

JBC Recommendations to agency director (PDF)

Summary of JBC Meeting / Work (PDF)

OCSEA / ODJFS Toolbox