D. Merit Increases

   With approval of the Supreme Court, merit pay increases may be granted to employees to recognize outstanding job performance, subject to the following conditions:

   1. Funds are available;

   2. The employee must have outstanding job performance and that performance must be documented in a current annual performance evaluation on file in the Administrative Office;

   3. The employee’s base salary shall not exceed the maximum rate of his/her salary grade as a result of a merit increase; and

   4. Merit pay increases shall not be automatic and may only be retroactive to the beginning of the current pay period.