[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 32 (Thursday, February 15, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 5921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3365]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 32 / Thursday, February 15, 1996 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 5921]]
OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
5 CFR Part 532
RIN 3206-AH30
Prevailing Rate Systems; Abolishment of Merced, CA,
Nonappropriated Fund Wage Area
AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.
ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management is issuing an interim rule
to abolish the Merced, CA, nonappropriated fund (NAF) Federal Wage
system (FWS) wage area and redefine the country having continuing FWS
employment (Fresno County) as an area of application to the Kern, CA,
NAF wage area for pay-setting purposes. The remaining Merced wage area
county (Merced County) has no FWS employees and is being deleted.
DATES: This interim rule becomes effective on February 15, 1996.
Comments must be received by March 18, 1996. Employees currently paid
rates from the Merced, CA, NAF wage schedule will continue to be paid
from that schedule until conversion to the Kern, CA, NAF wage schedule
on April 4, 1996, 1 day before the effective date of the next Kern, CA,
wage schedule.
ADDRESSES: Send or deliver comments to Donald J. Winstead, Assistant
Director for Compensation Policy, Human Resources Systems Service,
Office of Personnel Management, Room 6H31, 1900 E Street NW.,
Washington, DC 20415, or FAX: (202) 606-0824.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Paul Shields, (202) 606-2848.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Defense recommended to the
Office of Personnel Management that the Merced, CA, FWS NAF wage area
be abolished and that the county having continuing FWS employment
(Fresno County) be added as an area of application to the Kern, CA, NAF
wage area. The remaining Merced wage area county (Merced County) is
being deleted because it has no FWS employment. This change is
necessary because the closing of the wage area host activity, Castle
Air Force Base, leaves the Merced wage area without an activity having
the capability to conduct a wage survey.
As required in regulation, 5 CFR 532.219, the following criteria
were considered in redefining these wage areas:
(1) Proximity of largest activity in each county;
(2) Transportation facilities and commuting patterns; and
(3) Similarities of the counties in:
(i) Overall population;
(ii) Private employment in major industry categories; and
(iii) Kinds and sizes of private industrial establishments.
Proximity favors redefining Fresno County to the San Joaquin wage
area. However, because of declining employment in the wage area and a
limited capability for conducting a wage survey, the possible
abolishment of the San Joaquin wage area is currently under study. The
second and third criteria favor redefinition to the Kern wage area. An
additional consideration favoring redefinition of Fresno County to the
Kern wage area is the fact that Fresno County is contiguous to Kings
County, an area of application to the Kern wage area. On balance, the
recommended redefinition of Fresno County to the Kern wage area is
supported.
The Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee reviewed this
recommendation and by consensus recommended approval.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), I find that good cause exists
for waiving the general notice of proposed rulemaking. Also, pursuant
to section 553(d)(3) of title 5, United States Code, I find that good
cause exists for making this rule effective in less than 30 days. The
notice is being waived and the regulation is being made effective in
less than 30 days because preparations for the 1996 Merced, CA, NAF
wage area survey must otherwise being immediately.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
I certify that these regulations will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because they
affect only Federal agencies and employees.
List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 532
Administrative practice and procedure, Freedom of information,
Government employees, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Wages.
Office of Personnel Management.
Lorraine A. Green,
Deputy Director.
Accordingly, OPM is amending 5 CFR part 532 as follows:
PART 532--PREVAILING RATE SYSTEMS
1. The authority citation for part 532 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5343, 5346; Sec. 532.707 also issued under 5
U.S.C. 552.
Appendix B to Subpart B of Part 532 [Amended]
2. In appendix B to subpart B, the listing for the State of
California is amended by removing the entry for Merced.
3. Appendix D to subpart B is amended by removing the wage area
listing for Merced, California, and by revising the listing for Kern,
California, to read as follows:
Appendix D to Subpart B of Part 532--Nonappropriated Fund Wage and
Survey Areas
* * * * *
California
* * * * *
Kern
Survey Area
California: Kern
Area of Application. Survey Area Plus
California
Fresno (Effective date April 4, 1996)
Kings
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 96-3365 Filed 2-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-01-M
