Custer County adopts series of employee-handbook resolutions covering telework, FMLA, ADA, workers' comp, travel, vehicle use and PTO

The Custer County Board of County Commissioners adopted a package of employee-handbook amendments Feb. 11, approving resolutions that add standards of conduct, a teleworking policy, family and medical leave language, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, workers' compensation language, vehicle/equipment use standards and an updated paid time-off policy.

Chair Bill Ken introduced the series as an effort to "catch up" and formalize practices staff already follow. The board read Resolution 2607 into the record to add standards of conduct and moved to adopt it. Commissioners discussed that the resolution largely formalizes existing expectations for staff and directed county staff to publish the revised handbook policies in the usual locations.

Commissioners then considered teleworking under Resolution 2608. Discussion focused on measurable work metrics, security and written telework agreements. The board approved the teleworking resolution after motions and a voice vote.

Resolution 26.09 revises family and medical leave policy language to comply with the Family and Medical Leave Act; the board adopted the resolution. Resolution 26.10 formalizes the county’s Americans with Disabilities Act compliance procedures. Resolution 26.11 updates workers' compensation policy language to align with the Colorado Workers' Compensation Act; both were adopted.

When the board reviewed Resolution 26.12 — the travel policy — several commissioners voiced concern about the meal-reimbursement levels and asked for clearer language. Chair Ken said the measure would be sent back to printers for clarification, and the board voted to table the travel policy for further work.

Resolutions 26.13 (county vehicle and equipment usage) and 26.14 (consolidated PTO replacing separate sick/vacation accruals) were then presented and adopted. The vehicle policy requires that county vehicles be used for county business only and that employees in safety-sensitive roles maintain qualifying licenses; the PTO update consolidated prior transition language so accrual and usage rules are in a single, current policy.

The board directed county staff to distribute proposed policies to elected officials and department heads for review before and after adoption so affected employees can be informed; the clerk and human-resources staff were assigned to make the handbook changes and publish the revised policies.