Chief Patron: Scott, J.M.
Prior Year NVMHI Nurse Salary Adjustment

Item 317 #3h

Language
Page 286, line 5, strike "$81,237,456" and insert "$81,392,112".
Page 286, line 5, strike "$81,237,456" and insert "$81,392,112".

Explanation
(This amendment provides additional funding each year to adjust salaries of nurses at the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI). A 2004 study by the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services found the salaries of 17 Registered Nurses at NVMHI to be out of alignment. Funding provided by the 2005 General Assembly corrected this problem. However, the salary adjustments would have had to have been much higher, but for a previous adjustment that NVMHI had made in 2001 to stem the loss of nurses. This funding was made available out of the NVMHI budget at the cost of other necessary budget items such as equipment upgrades, information systems enhancements and other necessary items. This additional funding will allow repay NVMHI the cost of this early salary adjustment and allow the facility to purchase necessary equipment and cover operating costs.)