Utah County adopts temporary administrative flood‑leave policy allowing up to eight hours for volunteers

The Utah County Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution on March 29 establishing an administrative flood response leave policy that allows county employees to take up to eight hours of paid leave to assist with flood prevention, mitigation or emergency response.

Under the resolution, department heads may approve up to eight hours of flood response leave, which is available to both full‑time and benefit‑eligible part‑time employees (part‑time employees may receive prorated leave). The policy directs department heads to ensure critical work is not unduly interrupted and allows them to postpone or deny leave where use would significantly harm departmental operations. Human Resources will issue guidance to implement the resolution.

Ralph Barnes of county HR described the leave as an immediate option that is already available under existing administrative‑leave policy and said the board’s resolution would formally refer to it as "flood response leave." The resolution is effective immediately and expires on Aug. 31, 2023.

Commissioners noted that with roughly 1,350 county employees, the program could represent a substantial volunteer resource for flood mitigation if broadly used. The board moved and unanimously approved the resolution by voice vote.