December / January Employee Newsletter

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See how your coworkers participated in the Holiday Spirit Week!

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EMPLOYEE HOLIDAY REMINDER:

• Regular Shift Paid Employee Holidays: December 23, 24, 27, and 31
• Public Safety Shift Paid Employee Holidays: December 24, 25, 26 and January 1

Dewayne Carlyle, Infrastructure Field Services Supervisor with our Water Resources Department, was named the 2021 Employee of the Year at the virtual Employee Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, December 7th. 

The 2021 Town of Apex Employee of the Year is described as a trusted, honorable person who gives valuable guidance to those around them, and always has time to listen. Beyond just a supervisor, he is a true leader.

Dewayne Carlyle often bridges the gap between between the development community and existing town residents, always in a professional and positive manor. He makes difficult information easy for residents and other employees to understand, and helps everyone involved to see the bigger picture.

One nomination states that Dewayne “has a positive effect on everyone he interacts with, in all areas of his job duties”. He works with nearly every department across town in some way, sometimes in the background, working on solutions that may go unnoticed. He embodies each of our PEAK Principles - Performance, Empowerment, Accountability, and Knowledge.

Join us in congratulating Dewayne Carlyle as the Town of Apex 2021 Employee of the Year!

We also want to recognize the other 31 employees who were nominated for this year's award:

Did you miss out on the Employee Awards Ceremony? Click the image below to watch as members of the Apex team are recognized for service anniversaries and we name the 2021 Employee of the Year!

Why are we doing the Organization and Workforce Study?

Our town's growth is increasing the demand for services we provide and stretching our capacity. To better understand our organizational needs, we have partnered with an outside consultant, Baker Tilly, to conduct an organizational structure assessment and workforce study.

The organizational study will contribute to the development of an overall strategic plan that will be used to guide our actions over the next 3-5 years, including making budget decisions and establishing expectations as part of the performance management process. The plan will be presented to Council for approval with our 2022-23 budget, and will be communicated with employees once adopted.  

​The Organization and Workforce Study includes:

• Talking with departments about their capacity to provide services to our growing community
• Providing recommendations on our organizational structure by comparing services we offer and staffing levels to other communities our size
• Study of all Town positions and review of our classification and compensation structure.
• Updating our performance feedback model

Desired Timeline:

• Proposed structure, staffing, and position changes/additions be made by January 14, 2021, so that any recommendations can be included in the FY23 budget
• Classification and Compensation System ready for implementation by the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022.
• Employee Performance Management approach be communicated to employees by July 1, 2022 to set the expectation for any “formal” performance review process to occur during and / or at the conclusion of fiscal year 2023 with any compensation adjustment, if applicable, to be awarded after July 1, 2023 (fiscal year 2024)

Expected Project Outcomes:

• Recommendations regarding the organizational structure and positions needed to support current and future growth of the Town’s population and services.
• Development of a new Compensation and Employee Performance Management Philosophy that will inform decisions around pay policies and employee development & advancement opportunities.
• Update the Town’s Classification, Compensation and Employee Performance Management strategies, structures, and systems to help maintain our status as a great place to work, and set us apart as an employer of choice.

A dedicated page in Cornerstone will be updated often to reflect the progress of the project, and we will communicate opportunities for employee feedback and provide updates as we hit project milestones. LOG IN TO CORNERSTONE AND CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PAGE.

Click any of the images below for more information!

Upcoming Events:

Join us for a new online financial series the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 1 pm!

• January 12 | Estate Planning: Estate planning doesn’t have to be complicated! Simply, an estate plan is a way to provide written, legal directions to your loved ones who may need to distribute your assets after death, or who may need to make health care decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so. Join us for a discussion on how to get an estate plan in place!
• February 9 | Taxes: It’s tax time….again! Whether you are doing your taxes yourself or having someone do them for you, understanding changes to the tax law and what the common documents to complete, will be advantageous for you. Join us for a discussion on everything tax related for the 2021 tax season!
• March 9 | Financial Strategies for Children: Teaching your children good money habits is important to ensure they have a solid financial future! But we all know that can be challenging. So where do you begin to talk about savings, budgeting, loans, credit, and paying for college with your child? Join us for a discussion on talking your children and, who knows, you may pick up some tips and tricks yourself!

Don't forget to submit your end of challenge weight during the week of January 3rd! Check your submission email for instructions.

Do you have a moment to share? Tell us!
 

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Megan Fish, of Building Inspection and Permits, is the November 2021 Peak Performer.

While out on a routine water heater inspection, Megan noticed a gas smell and alerted the homeowner. Megan then went the extra mile by using a spray bottle with soapy water to try and locate the source of the leak. When the soapy water didn’t show the leak, she referred the homeowner to the gas company who was then able to come out and repair the leak. Because of Megan’s performance of her job duties, accountability to residents, and knowledge of hazardous materials, she was able quickly respond to help a resident in need.

Goodbye to:

• Maysam Aljader, Public Safety Communications
• Dalton Marshall, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources

• Bonnie Brock, Planning and Community Development
• John Brown, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources
• Laura Carraway, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources
• Bear Chiavacci, Building Inspection & Permits
• Wayne Faber, Police - Public Safety Communications
• Donna Hosch, Office of Town Clerk
• Brenda Johnson, Planning and Community Development
• Thomas Munson, Water Resources
• Suzanne Parmentier, Finance
• Tim Sawyer, Building Inspections and Permits
• Marguerite Strand, Building Inspections and Permits
• Robert Veasey, Fire

Employees that recently received kudos through our online form and social media:

• Amanda Bunce, Planning and Community Development
• Darrius Cozart (D.C.), Public Works & Transportation
• Daryl Saunders, Public Works & Transportation
• Kindrick Watkins, Public Works & Transportation
• Eddie Vaughn, Public Works & Transportation

Employees that were nominated for a GOTCHA by a coworker through our online form:

• Bear Chiavacci, Building Inspections & Permits
• Jose Martinez, Public Works & Transportation
• Randy Bennetts, Public Works & Transportation
• Maranda Everett, Finance
• Ali Eyuboglu, Information Technology
• Conrad Sain, Information Technology
• John Lanzer, Information Technology

Celebrating January Birthdays: