3.08.020 Application of the compensation plan.
A. The salary schedules for each class, as set forth with such amendments as may be adopted by the Board consistent with applicable memorandums of understanding, shall have the force and effect of law. The salaries or rates of compensation prescribed shall be fixed on the basis of permanent full-time service in permanent full-time positions, unless otherwise designated. The rates of pay prescribed shall be deemed to include pay in every form, except as authorized and incurred incident to employment or as approved by the Board as part of a current memorandums of understanding with a specific employee bargaining unit.
B. The rate of pay of a county employee shall correspond with the letters A, B, C, D, and E, respectively, which denote the various steps in the salary range.
1. The rate of pay upon appointment to a classification shall be at Step A through C of the assigned salary range, except as provided in SCC 3.08.030.
2. Step A shall be paid for the 1,040 hours of continuous employment for all permanent county employees. Upon satisfactory performance at Step A, the employee shall become eligible for an increase to Step B.
3. County employees shall be eligible for increases to Steps C, D, and E, respectively, after satisfactory performance during 2,080 hours at the preceding lower step.
C. All step increases shall be made on the basis of merit as established by employee job performance and upon the approval of the appointing authority. No step increase shall be given when inferior work, as documented by the employee’s supervisor, is evident.
D. Whenever an employee takes an authorized leave of absence in excess of 30 calendar days, the length of service in the current step shall be extended accordingly, and a new anniversary date shall be established as provided for and in accordance with SCC 3.09.040.
E. Extra help and permanent employees working less than full time shall be hired at Steps A through C of the appropriate range for the class, except as provided in SCC 3.08.030(C), and may be granted step increases by the appointing authority upon satisfactory performance.
F. Notwithstanding any other provision in this code or any provision in any memorandum of understanding, the Board shall, based on budgetary considerations, have the authority and right to suspend further step increases for all employees.