Oct 23, 2002 By Amy Karpinsky 6 min read

Two of the three Fayette County commissioners voted Tuesday to take steps to fire the county’s personnel consultant, citing a lack of communication and unfulfilled obligations. Greensburg-based Felice Associates has been working for more than three years on a pay study with longevity clause to bring supervisory and nonunion management employees pay in line with current job responsibilities. By enacting the two-month termination clause now, Felice will only remain obligated to the county through the end of the year, when the contract with the county’s largest union expires.

At the conclusion of Tuesday’s agenda meeting, commissioner Ronald M. Nehls broached the subject by saying that he asked Felice for a copy of the longevity clause more than a month ago and has yet to receive it.

Nehls said after years of waiting for the pay study the longevity clause was used as an excuse to prolong the procedure to implement new salaries.

“I have not been pleased with the process,” Nehls said. He cited a lack of proper job descriptions, an absence of a completed employee handbook, poor communication and a lack of response and professionalism by Felice as reasons for his decision to enact the 60-day termination clause.

Although commissioner Sean M. Cavanagh sided with Nehls in ending the contract with Felice, Commission Chairman Vincent A. Vicites adamantly opposed the move.

Cavanagh said he believes that Felice has “good points and bad points” but the bottom line is that the county has about 500 employees and is in need of a permanent human resource department. Cavanagh added that the county needs job descriptions and an employee handbook. He said many people, including department heads, are unhappy, with Felice.

Currently, only one employee, Rita Wolinski, has worked in-house for the county through Felice for nearly two years as the director of human resources.

Vicites, who said the firm has worked for the county for more than 25 years, said he has worked with them first hand since 1996 and substantial improvements have been made regarding personnel. He said things are much better but there is still a need for improvement.

Vicites said prior to 1996, the county was paying $30,000 to $40,000 a year and now the cost is $10,000 to $15,000 per year plus extra money for things such as arbitration.

Cavanagh disputed that assessment, saying that the cost to Felice is $6,500 month. Vicites clarified his position, saying that only a low percentage comes out of the general fund. Cavanagh also pointed out that the fee doesn’t include the pay study.

Vicites said a lot of counties use the services of Felice and he thinks they’ve done a “good, solid job.” Vicites said he has been updated on the longevity clause. He added that Felice has handled contract negotiation and arbitration issues.

“I don’t think we can find a human resource person to step in and do everything,” he said. Vicites said that Wolinski has worked very hard with no clerical help. “If we cut Felice and Associates loose I think it will be a major mistake,” he added.

Nehls said one of his concerns is that he hasn’t always gotten information.

“We should have an HR department and staff,” he said. Nehls added that the county was billed for five months without any service. “And I think we paid the bill. I’m just disappointed,” he said.

Vicites said that what the county pays is “miniscule compared to having an HR department.” He said they county only pays $12,000 a year now out of the general fund. “I think we’re getting good bang for the buck,” he said.

“If the department heads are unhappy, they haven’t said anything to me,” he said. Vicites said he was more adamantly opposed to the decision than any other vote he has opposed as commissioner.

“This is ridiculous,” he said. “After 25 years of dedication, they get kicked right in the teeth,” Vicites said. He said now is a vital time because of contract negotiations.

Nehls said the issue simply “comes down to efficiency.” Nehls then made a motion to put on Thursday’s agenda exercising the option to sever the contract with Felice Associates. Cavanagh seconded the motion. Cavanagh said the personnel issues should be done in house, but in the interim they could have someone “evaluate and streamline.”

Cavanagh said there are other labor relations experts available. “There are plenty of firms in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Harrisburg. We need to modernize our thinking,” he said.

Cavanagh said Vicites was only upset because he wasn’t getting his way. He urged Vicites to speak with department heads Tammy Shell and Michelle Shumar as well as individuals from the courts and judges about their displeasure with Felice.

“I’m not going to be misrepresented. My goal is to make efficiencies and do what’s best for the taxpayers. I’m not afraid of change,” Cavanagh said.

Nehls said he called Felice on Sept. 15 and his request was never fulfilled. “Where is the longevity clause?” he asked.

“I think they have done a good job and this isn’t fair,” Vicites said. “I have a good working relationship with them. All you have to do is pick up the phone,” he told Nehls.

Cavanagh said the county has a contract with Felice that includes a 60-day out clause.

“It’s not about fairness. I think it’s time to make a change,” Cavanagh said.

At the conclusion of the discussion, Felice representative George DeCaro responded that he sent the longevity clause information to Wolinski two weeks ago and was seeking to set up a meeting date. He suggested that the people who were upset had issues with money and used Felice as a scapegoat.

“I never heard complaints. Rita never given clerical help,” he said. DeCaro added that he was never asked to do job descriptions or a personnel policy manual. He added that numerous job descriptions are available. Nehls said he believes having a personnel handbook is a given for handling personnel duties.

Cavanagh told DeCaro that he thinks he is a good person and Wolinski is a good person but it’s time for a change.

Nehls also mentioned that the county needs to put out a request for proposals as soon as possible. Like the motion to terminate the contract with Felice, Nehls and Cavanagh voted in favor of sending out a request for proposals and Vicites voted against it.

When Vicites asked if the county would hire a consultant or establish a human resources department Cavanagh responded that the county would bring in expertise to help through the transition period.