(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 18, 2011) - Gwinnett County Administrator Glenn Stephens has appointed a task force of employee representatives to review compensation and benefits costs. A similar group last year helped Gwinnett County develop this year's health insurance plans for all employees.

The new task force will study the impact of declining revenues on the County's financial position and make recommendations on all aspects of employee compensation. Areas of study will include retirement and insurance plans and policies for holiday, annual and sick leave, among others. Personnel costs represent the majority of many departmental budgets.

"As governments across the country seek ways to operate more efficiently, the subject of employee compensation and benefits has been front-page news recently," said Stephens. "This task force will look at similar issues in our organization and make recommendations that all employees will then help prioritize later this year."

The task force is made up of 11 employees who represent most major County departments including those of elected officials like the sheriff, district attorney and the courts. The task force will present their plan to the County Administrator later this year.

District 3 Commissioner Mike Beaudreau, who set a goal earlier this year to reduce personnel costs by five percent, said, "I fully support the creation of the task force and those employees who are serving on it, and I look forward to hearing the recommendations."