Issue 006 The Village Vibe Third Quarter 2022

Th VillageVIBE

Village of Bald Head Island Employee Newsletter

Third Quarter 2022

END OF THE SEASON FEAST!

On September 28th Village employees got together for an End of the Season Employee Appreciation FEAST. And feast is the very best way to describe what we had that day. The low country boil was served on one big table, it included crab legs, shrimp, mussels, sausage, potatoes, onions and corn. Barbeque master David Mintz with helpers Lloyd Jackson, Junior Adkins, Anthony Sinatra, and Charles Trott prepared the food To accommodate those who do not eat seafood Mintz made some yummy barbeque chicken. Several sides were also available, including cornbread made by John Parker.

After our bellies were full, Village Manager Chris McCall presented the following years of service awards:

5 Years

Junior Adkins

Public Services

Nicholas Hugh

Public Services

Judy Schofield Human Resources

20 Years James Wooten Public Services

Judy Schofield, HR Director, p employees with their certifica School of Government’s Fundamental Supervisory Practices course earlier this year:

David LaPlante, Mike Harris, John Parker, Nate Lindsay, David Mintz, Paul Swanson. Josh Gibson (photo to the right with Mr McCall) Other recipients of the certificates included Scott Anderson, Steve Barger, Clay Brendle, Steve Butler Paul Homick and Dustin Shaw

Mr McCall congratulated the certificate holders and spoke about the importance of trainings like this. Mayor Quinn joined us as well and thanked employees for their hard work and dedication.

WELCOME ABOARD!

Andy Kennedy - Building Inspector (PT) - 6/29/22

Cody Walters - PSO/Paramedic - 9/7/22

Holden Hall - PSO/Law Enforcement - 9/14/22

Mark Johnston - Project Manager - 9/26/22

Administrative Staff Team Building Event

On September 9th the Village administrative staff had a team building day at The Swamp Park near Ocean Isle Beach. Most of the group took on the elevated ropes course and the zip line. All members of the group participated in an eco-boat tour of the swamp. The group ended the day with lunch at a local grill in OIB. It turned out to be a beautiful day for the trip and it was a great bonding experience for all involved!

MAPS PAY & CLASSIFICATION STUDY IS UNDERWAY

On September 22 department heads, supervisors, and staff met with Becky Veazy from the MAPS Group for an orientation to review the Classification and Pay Study. A morning presentation was given to department heads followed by an afternoon session for supervisors and staff.

Classification & Pay Study Calendar

October 7, 2022

October 14, 2022

October 28, 2022

November 4, 2022

November 14 - Dec. 2

December 2 to January 9

January 9, 2023

February

Board Decision

Questionnaires to Supervisor

Questionnaires to Department Head

Questionnaires to HR

Questionnaires returned to the MAPS Group Interviews held with employees & managers. Job analysis completed; salary survey completed, draft report written; class specifications written.

Draft of report submitted to manager with implementation cost estimates.

Presentation of report made to Village Council Study Implemented.

If you missed Ms. Veazy’s presentations here is an overview of some of the information she presented:

Definition of Classification – classifications rank jobs based on the degree of difficulty and responsibility. Through this process, the best title for the job is determined and the class specification (job description) is written or updated. Some of the other factors considered with classification are the public contact required, education and experience required, work environment and hazards, physical effort, supervision given and supervision received. It is important to note that the MAPS consultant is tasked with studying the job and not the individual person holding the job.

How is recommended pay determined? The MAPS group will identify a competitive salary range based on the duties and responsibilities in the job and the market data. MAPS will look at pay plans of other employers in our market or with similar work environments as BHI, a few that may be studied include: Carolina Beach, Hilton Head, Kill Devil Hills, Leland, Ocean Isle Beach, Nags Head, Shallotte, Southport, Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, USPS, Brunswick County, New Hanover County, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, and similar jobs in the private sector.

Why do a study? To recruit and train employees, have internal equity, provide equal pay for equal work, maximize costeffectiveness, and have a defensible system (pay plan is justified by using this study approach).

Why do a pay and classification study update? Jobs change, new technology and regulations come about, new services are added to Village functions and departments can go through a reorganization, the market changes at different rates for different jobs (not just COLA), the study updates and adjusts both classification and salary range. It is typical to do a pay study about every 5 years for these reasons.

Department Heads attend the MAPS Group orientation on 9/22/22.

Left to right: Michelle Kesmodel, Stephen Pevarnik, Darcy Sperry, Gina Hinson, Mishanda Mohundro, Elizabeth Gray

Below is a calendar for the various items that need to be completed as the study progresses.

Struggling with Student Loans?

PSLF may help, but you have to act FAST!

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program forgives the remaining balance on federal direct student loans following 120 months of qualifying payments for certain public service employees –including those who work for governments, 501(c)(3) organizations, and other nonprofits providing certain public services, including military service, law enforcement, early childhood education, public health, and many others.

Until October 31, 2022, an important, but temporary PSLF waiver makes it possible for millions of public service workers to receive credit for past periods of repayment that would otherwise not qualify – thereby reducing or potentially eliminating student loan debt. Under the waiver, North Carolinians have been approved for over $246 million in forgiveness so far – and we want to make sure that all eligible North Carolinians are aware of this opportunity in time to take action before the Halloween deadline.

To learn more:

1 Visit studentaid.gov/pslf/

2 View the PSLF webinar by Attorney General Josh Stein, the Student Borrower Protection Center and the U.S. Department of Education. The webinar slides are available here.

3 Contact your student loan servicer and let them know that you are interested in PSLF and the waiver. Your loan servicer should be able to assist you.

4 Review the additional resources included below.

Social Security Participation Voted Down

Last month, a majority of employees voted “no” to the Village Council’s extension of Social Security coverage as a benefit to current employees.  In order for the benefits to come into effect, a majority of employees had to vote “yes.” The vote followed the release of information sheets, a presentation, and a meeting in which a Social Security representative explained the benefits, the Windfall Elimination Provision, and Government Pension Offset programs that will affect Village employees’ local government retirement pension.

All employees should consider making retirement planning a priority, the earlier you start, the better. There are many online resources that can help you decide the best savings strategies for you and your family. In particular, the Department of State Treasurer Retirement Systems Division conducts retirement conferences for members of the Local Governmental Employees Retirement System. The conferences provide an orientation for new members, pre-retirement planning information for members closer to retirement, and educational information for personnel officers and others who handle retirement matters. In addition, Prudential Retirement, the State’s third-party administrator, also offers information on the NC 401(k) plan.

Go to this website to register: https://www.myncretirement.com/nonretirees/current-employees/nearing-retirement/retirement-planningconferences

Employees can also seek the assistance of a professional financial advisor. An advisor can help guide you through the considerations that are made as you plan for your retirement such as, if you are saving enough, when you can realistically retire, how medical care could affect your expenses, how to pay off your debt, etc.

9 FUN WAYS TO WALK WITH YOUR FAMILY THIS FALL

By Michelle Rogers, CPT from BCBS NC Point of Blue Blog (shortened slightly)

Fall is the perfect time to venture outdoors and explore our beautiful state with your family, on foot. Walking is not only excellent exercise, when you walk together with your family you’re making memories to treasure forever.  Here are some fun ways you and your family can get walking this fall.

Make it a spooky stride

It wouldn’t be fall without a healthy dose of Halloween fun. This “spirited” holiday offers up plenty of walking opportunities for an entire month. Visit a haunted forest, go costume shopping at the mall, or take a candlelight ghost tour downtown. And of course, there’s the king of all fall family walking activities: Trick-or-treating!

Down on the farm

Find the perfect pumpkin. Sure, there are pumpkins galore at the grocery store. But what fun is that? Instead, make precious memories with your little ones by visiting a pumpkin patch and letting them search for their own. At the same time, everyone benefits from the fresh air and exercise, which includes walking, bending, stooping, and lifting. After you’ve carved your jack-o’-lantern, save and roast the pumpkin seeds for a nutritious snack (here’s how).

Pick apples at an orchard. Apple season in the western part of our state runs from August to November. Henderson County is responsible for 65 percent of North Carolina’s entire apple production, according to the Asheville Citizen-Times. There are a number of orchards you can visit Then at home, together you can make caramel apples, baked apples, applesauce, muffins, or a delicious homemade pie.

Hit up the farmer’s market. Enjoy a leisurely stroll — and benefit your family’s nutrition — while you browse the freshest locally grown fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, and herbs. For a listing of farms and farmer’s markets searchable by county, see NC Farm Fresh

Find a festival

Fall is festival season here in North Carolina, which provides ample opportunity to walk outdoors. There are events every weekend throughout the state, from small-town harvest celebrations to large events like the state fair or renaissance festival. Even at car shows, arts and crafts fairs, and other local events you’re walking around for an hour or two while taking in the sights and sounds.

Looking for ideas? Check out the events calendar from the North Carolina Association of Festivals and Events

Go out and play

Soak up the sun and crisp fall air while you play outdoors with your family! Get friends and family together for a game of touch football, soccer, golf, frisbee or softball. Kids also love to play active games with you such as hide and seek, make a backyard obstacle course, or go on a scavenger hunt.

Get lost in a corn maze

Visiting a corn maze is a time-honored autumn tradition that the whole family will enjoy. Here you can rack up a ton of steps on your fitness tracker and have a lot of laughs at the same time. Many farms also offer a pumpkin patch, children’s play area, hayrides, and other fun things to do while there.

Take a hike on a trail

One of our greatest resources here in North Carolina is our incredible state park system with its almost endless supply of scenic trails, from the mountains to the seashore. Many counties and towns have wonderful parks, lake trails, or arboretums as well.

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EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES

It just doesn’t get any better than fall in North Carolina to be outdoors, enjoy the changing leaves, and get in a good walk or hike. Most state parks offer trails that cater to a variety of ages and physical abilities. From shorter paved paths to more strenuous terrains, there’s something for everyone.

Explore on a nature walk

Kids are natural adventurers, making a nature walk an ideal activity for the whole family. Besides being great exercise, a nature walk is an interactive opportunity to learn more about science. Help your children learn why leaves change color. Together you could also try to identify the rocks and trees you see. Two free apps that can help are LeafSnap and vTree, which you can use as an electronic field guide.

Bring a bag to collect colorful leaves, pinecones, acorns, stones, small sticks, and other finds so they can make a creative art project out of them. Kids love this!

Research has found that being in the forest is beneficial to physical and mental health and lowers stress levels — which can help children do better in school, too.

Take a stroll back in time

One of the most interesting ways to get walking is to take a historic downtown walking tour. Some are selfpaced, using a brochure or map provided. My favorites are the ones led by a knowledgeable local guide. You’ll learn all sorts of fascinating facts about the community and the people who lived there long ago, and you’ll see the area in a way you otherwise never would have.

The state tourism department office’s web site, Visit North Carolina, features a selection of walking tours across the state.

History and science museums also offer an ideal family-friendly option for walking and learning, a good indoor choice on a rainy fall day. My family enjoyed Old Salem Village in Winston-Salem, a walk-through living history museum that covers 100 acres of historic buildings, gardens, homes, and shops. You can easily spend a day meandering through it while learning about life in the 1700s.

Walk a 5K

Fall is a prime season for 5K races, 1-mile fun runs, and turkey trots— but you don’t have to be a racer or even a runner to participate in these popular events. You can walk it, and many do. You’ll likely see moms and dads pushing strollers and families of all ages participating together. If you’re planning on doing a 5K (3.1 miles) with your family, you and your children should spend time training for this in the weeks leading up to it, so that when the big day comes everyone is accustomed to walking that distance and amount of time.

Interested in learning how to walk for better fitness and health? See “Expert tips for getting started with a walking program.”

GINA & CARIN'S FAVORITE HIKING SPOTS

You may remember from the baby picture contest in a previous issue that Gina Hinson said that she likes to go hiking with her husband and dogs for fun.  I (Carin) also enjoy hiking with my significant other and my dog Buck.  Here are a few of our favorite trails:

LOCAL:

Gina's Favs Abbey Nature Preserve

Brunswick Nature Park River Walk in Belville

Summer Rest Trail

Carin's Favs

DAY TRIP:

Pages Creek Park Preserve

Halyburton Park

Gina Recommends

Cliffs of the Neuse in Goldsboro, NC

Raven Rock State Park in Lillington, NC

Buck at the end of Summer Rest Trail

Baby Picture Contest!

Can you name the Village employee in the picture below?  Email or text the correct answer to: cfaulkner@villagebhi.org or (910) 368-6338.  If you have the correct answer, you will be chosen in a drawing of all of the correct answers received by Nov.11, 2022. If you have a baby picture to submit for a future contest, please send them to Carin at the email and text number above.

Where did you grow up?

What do you like to do for fun?

All over, we moved often as  my dad was in the service. I enjoy time off and spending it with my family.

What is your favorite food?

Anything off the grill.

Anything else?

I lived in Japan as a young kid.

Welcome to the Family!

Kenneth Adkins (aka Junior) and his wife Kaylie are the proud parents of Elliot Ray Adkins, who was born on June 29th at 10:13 a.m. Elliot weighed 5 lbs. and 1.9 oz. and was 18 inches long.

Congratulations to the Adkins family!

VILLAGE HOLIDAYS

Veteran's Day

Thanksgiving

Christmas

New Year's Day

Friday, November 11, 2022

Thursday & Friday, November 24 & 25, 2022

Fri, Mon, Tue, December 23, 26 & 27, 2022

Monday, January 2, 2023

When the FY23 budget was adopted, TWO holidays were added! Juneteenth (Monday June 19, 2023) and a floating holiday (you can pick an unobserved holiday, your birthday, or any other day off - with supervisor's approval - please mark "FH" on your timesheet for tracking).