[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 23, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13960-13961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6998]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Approval of New Information Collection.

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces Rural Business-Cooperative Service's (RBS) intention 
to request approval of an information collection in support of the Mid- 
to Upper Level Management and Sales/Field Representatives Compensation 
Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 24, 1999, to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beverly L. Rotan, Agricultural 
Economist, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Cooperative Resources 
and Management Division, USDA, Stop 3253, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 
Washington, DC 20250, telephone number (202) 690-2413 (this is not a 
toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Mid- to Upper=Level Management and Sales/Field 
Representatives Compensation Survey.
    Type of Request: New Information Collection.
    Abstract: Changing agricultural markets, services, new farming 
techniques/technology (biotechnology, value-added products, etc.) 
available to cooperatives require them to closely examine methods to 
identify, attract, and retain the employment of competent, productive 
employees. The unique nature of the cooperative business requires the 
services of employees with special skills in addition to their areas of 
technical expertise. The ``owner is customer'' characteristic of 
cooperatives requires cooperative employees to have skills in 
education, communications, governance, and member relations that are 
not typically required of employees in any other type of business. 
Subsequently, compensation data on the general business population do 
not reflect the unique requirements of cooperatives. This study will 
also serve as a guide to established cooperatives.
    RBS has received an increasing number of inquiries from 
cooperatives, farm organizations (National Council of Farmer 
Cooperatives (NCFC), University extension agents, etc.), and other 
interested clientele asking for updated data on employee compensation 
and comparable salary information for various job categories; with an 
added interest for cooperative directors' compensation. The most recent 
investigation into compensation for specified job classification was 
done in 1991. Before that time the most recent study was done in 1962.

[[Page 13961]]

    In order to minimize burden on small businesses, an effort was made 
to identify any other private or government departments which collected 
data on specific cooperative salaries and benefit packages. After 
discussions with representatives of the Census Bureau, Population--
National Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Bureau of 
Economic Analysis--Chief of Farm Income, Regional Economic Measurement 
Division, it was evident that the most relevant data available through 
these agencies were labor wages aggregated by county. This information 
isn't specific enough to supply adequate details pertaining to salary 
ranges, factors involved in setting salaries, and educational 
background for cooperative employees.
    The initial users of the information collected will be managers, 
directors, and other cooperative leaders and policy makers of 
cooperatives. New cooperatives will use the resulting report primarily 
as a guide for setting their cooperative's benefit/compensation 
packages. Established cooperatives will use the resulting report 
primarily as a comparison of their present salary/benefit base. The 
report will also give new cooperatives a basis to evaluate their 
perspective employees' educational and/or work experience and 
backgrounds in order to formulate an adequate benefit/compensation 
package.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated at .75 hour per survey, including time for 
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing survey
    Respondents: Cooperative managers and human resources personnel.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 300.
    Estimated Number of Responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Burden on Respondent: 225 Hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Jean 
Mosely, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-0041.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of RBS' 
estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information 
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be 
sent to Jean Mosely, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. Comments may be 
submitted via the Internet by addressing them to C[email protected]. 
and must contain the word ``compensation'' in the subject. All 
responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request 
for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated: March 11, 1999.
Dayton J. Watkins,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 99-6998 Filed 3-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-U