Dripping Springs OKs employee referral program

DRIPPING SPRINGS – The city of Dripping Springs will now have a permanent recruitment incentive for employees.

In February 2023, city council, upon city staff’s recommendation, approved implementing an Employee Referral Incentive pilot program. This was due to the challenges the city was facing to fill full-time and seasonal summer positions, including lifeguards and camp staff.

Because the pilot program was a success, the Dripping Springs City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Nov. 7 to adopt a permanent Employee Referral Incentive Program Policy.

“It was to help retain and also help recruit returning seasonal employees,” said Dripping Springs People & Communications Director Lisa Sullivan. “The incentive pilot results were wonderful … It helped Parks and Community Services employ and retain summer employees. For the first time in several years, Coyote Kids Camp and the Aquatics Program were able to fill all positions.”

The specifics for the program are as follows.

Recruitment Incentive for Recruiting Employee:

• $150 per person who is recruited and starts employment

• Only for persons who are recruited for employment who haven’t worked for the city in the last three years

• Employees who are involved in the recruitment of the position are ineligible

• Recruitment Incentive is paid to the recruiting employee on the first pay period after the recruited employee begins work

• Taxable

• No limitation on the number of employees and employee referral incentives

Sign-On/Retention Incentive for New and Returning Seasonal Employees:

• $150 per person for a full-time summer seasonal employee for each season

• For returning or new summer seasonal employees

• Sign-on/Retention Incentive is paid on the first check after June 1 for returning seasonal employees

• Sign-on/Retention Incentive is paid on the first check after July 1st for new seasonal employees

• Taxable

• One incentive per fiscal year for returning or new seasonal employees

The total amount paid out in the pilot program was $5,400 which was “well within budget,” according to Sullivan, and there was a cushion of approximately $30,000.

“It was a success. It was a great recruitment tool [and] it’s going to be a great recruitment tool as we post for new positions,” she said.

To watch the full Nov. 7 Dripping Springs City Council meeting, visit https://bit.ly/3MIaZME. For questions about the program, contact Dripping Springs City Hall, located at 511 Mercer Street in Dripping Springs, by calling 512-858-4725.