Coldwater board approves updated personnel manual, including AI and sick-time changes

The Coldwater Board of Public Utilities approved revisions to the joint City of Coldwater and CBPU personnel policy manual and will forward the manual to City Council for implementation.

Utility Director Jakubzak reviewed key changes in the updated manual, which the packet says was rewritten in August 2020 and underwent another thorough revision this cycle. Major updates include an earned sick-time policy, changes to PTO and holiday calendars, clarifications on bereavement and anti-nepotism provisions, adjustments to voluntary and involuntary termination language, a safety committee clarification, jury-duty guidance, solicitation policies, a vehicle-use and distracted-driving policy, updates to purchasing and travel rules, and new IT policies including an AI policy. The packet also noted adjustments to dress code and dental reimbursement language.

Jakubzak told the board that, if approved by council, the manual would take effect Aug. 1. He recommended adoption and thanked staff for their work drafting the revisions. Board members had no substantive questions at the meeting and moved to forward Policy P25-01 (personnel policy manual) to City Council; the motion passed.