Board to Consider Pay Raises for 50

The County Board of Supervisors will consider raising salaries for about 50 county employees today in a move that would cost about $350,000 a year.

County Personnel Director Ronald Komers said he is recommending salary adjustments in a variety of departments. In some cases it is to recognize the specialized nature of positions, he said, and for others it’s to remain competitive to attract job applicants or to change job classifications.

He said nearly all the positions are covered by the Public Employees Assn. of Ventura County, and the increases were budgeted.

The biggest increases will go to pharmacy and radiology employees, according to a report Komers prepared. The increases for both departments total $189,000 annually with benefits and affect 26 employees.

The county has difficulty recruiting pharmacists because of a general shortage and because county pharmacists earn 30% less than those at other local hospitals, according to Komers’ report. The proposed increases are as high as 19.5% for some pharmacists.

The radiology department also has had numerous vacancies despite extensive advertising, the report says. The senior X-ray technician’s position pays 20% below what other area hospitals pay. Under the proposed increases, salaries for some radiology positions will jump as much as 18.5 %.