2004 Annual Report

SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES

The annual report is generated pursuant to KRS 18A.075(6).

The list below enumerates the major activities of the Personnel Board during Fiscal Year 2004.

1. Hearing appeals pursuant to the provisions of KRS Chapter 18A of Merit System (classified) employees and unclassified employees, who have been dismissed, demoted, suspended or otherwise penalized.
   
2. Revision of administrative regulations as needed.
   
3. Zealous protection of equitable treatment and due process of all state employees.
   
4. Participation by hearing officers, Executive Director and General Counsel in intensive hearing officer training conducted by the Office of the Attorney General and other professional organizations as mandated by KRS Chapter 13B, Administrative Hearing Procedures Act.
   
5. Training state personnel on the activities of the Board and the provisions of KRS Chapter 18A.

KENTUCKY PERSONNEL BOARD MEMBERSHIP

The Kentucky Personnel Board consists of five members who are appointed by the Governor for overlapping terms of four years, and two Merit System (classified) employees who are elected by their peers, also for four year terms.

Active members:

Past members who served part of Fiscal Year 2004:

* Mr. Bowman passed away on August 11, 2004.

The Personnel Board received four hundred forty-four (444) appeals from Merit System (classified) employees who had been dismissed, suspended, demoted, laid off, or who alleged some violation of KRS Chapter 18A. Included in that number are appeals from unclassified employees who were dismissed, suspended, demoted, or otherwise penalized for cause or who made allegations of discrimination. Also included are persons eligible on employment registers who allege some form of penalization.

The table below details the disposition of appeal actions by the Board during Fiscal Year 2004.

SUMMARY OF APPEAL ACTIONS
FISCAL YEAR 2004
(July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004)

Of the four hundred four (404) appeals decided, in one hundred ninety (190) the agency's actions were sustained and/or the appeals were dismissed. Twenty-four (24) appeals of employees or persons eligible for employment were sustained. The Board reinstated seven employees to their former jobs. Fifty-four (54) agreed orders of settlement were entered and one hundred twenty-nine (129) appellants withdrew their appeals at some point before the process had run its course.

The Board commends the Personnel Cabinet and the state agencies for their participation in the Kentucky Employees Mediation Program, as well as their willingness to find alternative resolutions. The results of these efforts are reflected in the sixty-three percent (63%) increase in settlements of appeals this fiscal year. (Thirty-four settlements in FY 2003 and fifty-four in FY 2004.)

KENTUCKY PERSONNEL BOARD MEETINGS

In keeping with KRS 18A.070(2), the Personnel Board held at least one regular meeting each month.

All meetings were conducted in accordance with the Kentucky Open Meetings Act (KRS 61.805, et seq.). Notices were sent to the press and posted in public places.