WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE PTO TRANSITION PLAN

  

Washington County Commissioners approved a paid-time off (PTO) transition plan for county employees at their meeting today (Tuesday).

The item was a continuation of the changes approved last week to the county’s employee handbook, which adjusted how employees collect PTO and how much they can store. 

Human Resources Director Angela Mlcak said effective May 1^st, all accrued vacation and sick time will combine and convert to PTO.  Vacation that would have been added on an employee’s anniversary date of hire will be prorated – based on if they are regular full-time or shift employees – and added to their PTO total.  In addition, employees’ monthly accrual rate will transition to a new PTO schedule per their current position and years of service. 

Per the new PTO policy, employees will no longer “carry over” their PTO leave balance, as it will accrue only up to the maximum allowable hours and will not bank more hours until the employee has used some of them. 

Mlcak said last week that the maximum for regular, full-time employees hired after the policy’s effective date is 480 hours, but current employees will be able to retain up to 720 until December 31, 2025, at which time the hours will reset back to 480 but can still accrue up to 720 throughout the year. 

Also at today’s meeting, the court agreed to seek requests for qualifications (RFQs) for the provision of healthcare services at the Washington County Jail.  The county has contracted with CorrHealth for services at the jail since 2021. 

Commissioner Candice Bullock said the original contract was for three years with a possible two-year extension.  She said due to “current circumstances” and a desire to “do our due diligence”, the county will seek other competitive qualifications prior to making any further decisions.  Commissioner Kirk Hanath said the court needs to make certain that the county is being fiscally responsible and maintaining the level of service required at the jail.

RFQs will be due on May 7^th at 10 a.m. and will be acted on by the court on May 21^st at 9 a.m.

In other business, commissioners:

• Approved a jail camera maintenance agreement through Ageint Security for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.  The contract is for 10 years, with an annual payment of $11,940. 
• Approved the county’s portion of an interlocal agreement with the City of Burton for road repairs.  The Burton City Council approved its end of the agreement last week.  The estimated cost to the county for repairs is $69,120.  County Engineer Wesley Stolz reiterated that state statute only allows the county to perform the repairs in Burton if it will not impede the county’s own schedule and operations, but he said the county does intend to have availability to do the work.
• Approved a subdivision variance request for a land division fronting Horstmann Road, 1.5 acres in Precinct 1.
• Approved a subdivision variance request for a land division fronting Captain Scott Road, 11.981 acres in Precinct 3.
• Heard the Human Resources Department’s quarterly report.
• Read proclamations declaring April 14-20 as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and designating April as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and as Autism Awareness Month.