November 9, 2000

                                    Franke and Ryan Don’t Get IT

If readers of this morning’s Statesman Journal article, “Bonus offer Sparks Debate,” watch their local cable station they can see for themselves the entire discussion that took place in the Marion County Board Session yesterday morning.

A letter was sent to John Margaronis on September 27 that states “…we are prepared to pay the amount of $13,000 as a negotiated signing bonus.  The terms of this bonus is currently under review, but it is anticipated that approximately half will be paid with the first paycheck and the remaining amount will be paid in the first paycheck following 90 days of employment…”

These terms of a bonus were not authorized by the Marion County Board of Commissioners.

On September 29, 2000 in an internal Human Resources memorandum discussing Recommendation to Adopt Signing Bonus, the recommendation states “…it is recommended that we follow suit and adopt a signing bonus arrangement.  At this time, it is requested that the Board of Commissioners affirm this incentive and adopt a signing bonus arrangement for the IT Director position.  Additionally, recommendation is made to pay the bonus in three payments as follows:  50% on signing, 25% after 90 days and the remaining 25% after 180 days.”  This was a recommendation to be presented at the October 17, 2000 Board Session.

This recommendation was to come before the Board of Commissioners AFTER the September 27, letter was already sent and received.   The Board of Commissioners never received a copy of the September 27 letter.  It was only after  there was mention of a written offer being sent on September 27, was I aware there was such a letter.  Nor was I aware actual terms of a bonus were offered.  This mention of a written letter took place in a work session on October 20, 2000.  Even then, the  letter  was  not received by me until sometime around the first of November.      

NOTE:   The terms offered for the bonus pay out were different than those in the September 29, memo that was to be presented to the Board on October 17, 2000.