Compensated absences FY2011, 2012 and 2013 (Worcester Office of Human Resources)
| Submitted | Oct. 3, 2013 |
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Communications
From: Shawn Musgrave
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.66, ยง10, I hereby request the following records:
-A copy of the policy for reimbursement related to compensated absences that are recorded as liabilities in finances
-A record of the total amount of compensated absences that are recorded as liabilities for FY2011, FY2012 and FY2013
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.
In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Shawn Musgrave
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Oct. 3, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: Human Resources
Your first message submitted on 10/03/2013 was not received. Nevertheless, as of 10/18/13 your request is under review, and a notification will be submitted to you once the information is ready.
Sincerely,
From: Vecchio, Dori
Dear Mr. Musgrave:
In order to provide a detailed, written and good faith estimate for the cost of your request, I will need additional information. Your request is as follows:
-A copy of the policy for reimbursement related to compensated absences that are recorded as liabilities in finances -A record of the total amount of compensated absences that are recorded as liabilities for FY2011, FY2012 and FY2013
I assume that there is a line item in the City's financial statements that you are referring to in this request, can you please tell me the page number and which financial report(s) you are looking at? I would be most helpful to provide us with the dollar amount within that financial statement if possible. If you can provide this information, I will be able to provide a timeline for completion and the cost.
Thank you.
From: Shawn Musgrave
Hello,
Different cities in Massachusetts have provided this information in different ways -- some have been via a budget line item, others have been separate reports.
Thank you,
Shawn
From: Vecchio, Dori
Mr. Musgrave:
I respectfully request additional detail in regards to your request. Your request is vague and I am uncertain on how to answer it. The additional information that you provided....... "Different cities in Massachusetts have provided this information in different ways -- some have been via a budget line item, others have been separate reports"... does not clarify exactly what you are asking. Is this a random question that other cities and towns will answer based on how they interpret the question? Again, additional information would be very helpful. Thank you.
From: Shawn Musgrave
Ms. Vecchio,
I apologize for any confusion from my last answer, and I hope it didn't come off as random. This is a request for documentation regarding compensated absences, as outlined in my original request language. My previous response was meant to indicate where other cities/towns found this information, which I understand to be a standard component of both collective bargaining agreements as well as municipal accounting.
You may wish to consult with your Finance Department, if this information is not held in the Human Resources office.
Best,
Shawn
From: Vecchio, Dori
Hi Mr. Musgrave: I will talk to the city auditor and get back to you. Am I correct to say that you are requesting this information for someone else or is this information for you? Thanks, Dori Vecchio
From: MuckRock
Ms. Vecchio,
Thank you for reaching out to the auditor. I look forward to hearing back.
Thank you.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Oct. 3, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: Vecchio, Dori
Dear Mr. Musgrave: This is the information provided to me by the Auditor:
The policy for sick and vacation varies by unions and are in the various contracts, which describe the number of days allowed each year, the number to which they accumulate and payments made to employees upon separation. There also sick-bank policies for some union such as police and fire. The city also has policies for EM employees and other non-union employees.
The liability recorded for compensated absences in the city's financial statement was $13,660,000 in FY 11', $13,921,000 in FY 12' and will be $14,051,690 in FY 13'. This includes the city's enterprise funds.
If you need copies of the union contracts, they can be found on our city website, www.worcesterma.gov under Human Resources and Collective Bargaining agreements. Please let me know if you need anything else.
From: Shawn Musgrave
Ms. Vecchio,
Thank you for sending this information. Could please send the appropriate page(s) or document(s) from which the compensated absences information is drawn?
Thank you,
Shawn
From: Vecchio, Dori
Good Afternoon Mr. Musgrave: I requested the pages from the auditor, and this is his response:
The numbers are on page 77 of the FY 11 CAFR and pages 75 and 76 in the FY 12 CAFR. The audit for FY 13 is not yet complete and the report has not been issued. The CAFR can be accessed on the city's website.
If you go on the city website at www.worcesterma.gov under "City Auditor", then press on Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports, you will be able to pull up all the CAFR's going back to 2003.
I did not verify or confirm this information, I have just conveyed to you what the auditor told me. If you need additional detail, I may have to refer you to the auditor. Let me know if there is anything else you need. Thanks! Dori
From: Shawn Musgrave
Thank you very much! This is just what we needed.
Best,
Shawn
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