Good Afternoon,

 

Last week I noted that Governor Sanford’s executive budget contains our request for a new food service warehouse. This will allow us to be more efficient in our food service operation. We will be able to buy more items in bulk and hopefully we will be able to quick freeze our own edible row crops. These two items would reduce our costs. Our food costs are already lowest in the nation. Long term, my desire is not to reduce our costs by reducing the quality or food, but to use these additional savings to actually increase the quality of what we purchase. That is, we may be able to serve more fresh vegetables, more ‘favorites’ and fewer ‘parts’ at the same or lower cost. Already, we are expanding the privilege of soda machines in cafeterias.

 

By the way, I have been encouraged by legislative comments on two topics: 85% sentences and incentive pay. As you may know, I am a proponent of some transparency and certainty in sentencing. This is also known as also known as truth in sentencing. However, for three years I have advocated for a reduction in our current TIS laws from 85% to something that provides more incentive for inmates to behave, work and participate. This year several House members have asked for my thoughts on this topic. While we are years away from a potential change, their interest is encouraging. As you may read recently, Chief Justice Toal has also expressed the opinion that we need to be smarter in our sentencing structure.

 

After fighting for a ten percent increase for our security staff last year, our House budget subcommittee members have asked for and received an education on our vacancy and turnover rates. For three years, through the Governor’s Budget we have asked that Agency Directors have flexibility to target pay funding to those areas where it is most needed. These three members (Annette Young, Gilda Cobb-Hunter and Gary Simrill) are receptive to the idea of incentive pay to target relief where we have our higher vacancies. This is good news and may very well be a central part of our budget request next year.

 

Sam Walton’s Rule 3: Motivate your partners. Constantly try to think of new ways to motivate and challenge your partners. Set high goals, encourage competition and keep score. Award prizes to ‘winners.” Have managers switch jobs to stay challenged.

 

Have a great week.