Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1991 1016 CC REG ITEM 08T ITEM yP4. I � MOORPARK o9 sac 799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, California 93021 (805) 529-6864 JJ� TEO 4 nr TO: Honorable City Council yCouncil MOo11rO FROM: Richard Hare, Deputy City Mena. ACTION�� WS DATE: October 11, 1991 �� SUBJECT: Consider Employee Computer Equipment Support Program Background Employee proficiency in the use of computer equipment is becoming a necessity in almost every position. Training is offered on the job and in special seminars or college classes, but the development of computer proficiency is dependent upon continued use of computer equipment both on and off the job. Many employers are assisting their employees with the purchase of computer equipment for home use which supplements the training they receive on the job. The programs offered vary from those which purchase the equipment and allow the employee to use it, to programs which assist the employee in making the purchase at no cost to the employer. The latter approach is recommended. The Budget & Finance Committee has considered this approach at its last two meetings and concurs that the appropriate assistance limit would be $1, 000. The assistance would be contingent upon the funds being used to purchase a computer, software, printer, peripheral equipment or upgrading a current system. The equipment or software would have to be compatible or related to the equipment or software used at work, so that there is a direct training benefit associated with the employee's use. The employee would have to agree to repayment within twelve months and securing the assistance with accrued vacation benefits. Assistance The assistance would be repaid within twelve months by the deduction of $42 per pay period from the employee' s paycheck. Additionally, there would be an administrative fee of $25. The administrative fee is equal to the interest (6%) which would have been earned by the City on the $1, 000 of assistance. The assistance amount would be secured by the vacation accrual held by the employee. The employee's vacation leave balance would be maintained at a level to cover the repayment balance. PAUL W. LAWRASON JR. BERNARDO M. PEREZ SCOTT MONTGOMERY ROY E. TALLEY JR. JOHN E. WOZNIAK Mayor Mayor Pro Tern Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Honorable City Council October 11, 1991 Page 2 The employee would be required to sign an agreement with the City outlining the payback requirements. Proof of the purchase would also have to be provided to the City Manager's satisfaction and the employee would have to agree not to resell the equipment or software for a three year period. Credit Union The Ventura County Federal Credit Union (VCFCU) has agreed to participate in the program. They offer loans to participants in the program so that they can use the $1, 000 assistance as a down payment to finance a $4, 000 system. The remaining $3 , 000 would be a personal loan to the employee through the credit union at 15% interest. The employee would not be required to use the Credit Union. They could couple the assistance with personal savings or obtain a loan from another source. Employee Selection Rather than limiting this program to specific job classifications staff feels that the trend is toward the use of computers in all facets of municipal work. Naturally, office personnel use computers daily, but the maintenance staff will also become more and more involved with the use of computers for work order control systems, computerized inventory systems, directories, and equipment control systems. The more familiar staff members are with the operation of personal computers the easier and more productive other computer training will be. The staff does, however, recommend limiting the program to employees that receive vacation leave accruals which can be used to secure the assistance amount. Favorable Pricing Some vendors will pass on government pricing to employees of local governments. In cases where employees can benefit from favorable pricing they shall be notified of the option. Recommendation Direct the City Manager to establish the rules and agreements to implement the employee computer purchase assistance program limiting the authorized assistance per employee to $1, 000, setting the administrative fee at $25 and limiting participation to employees with accrued vacation leave benefits. R:COMPUTER.HCC