Bedford County retirement board votes to exclude unused vacation and sick leave from pensionable compensation

Commissioner Mike Stiles called the Bedford County retirement board to order at 10:00 a.m. on March 12, 2026, and said the meeting was a follow-up on a prior discussion with Foster & Foster about whether unused vacation or sick leave should be treated as pensionable compensation.

The commissioners reported they had sought legal counsel from Attorney Dave Mitchell, who recommended applying the County Pension Law (Act 96 of 1971). The minutes quote the statute: "compensation" excludes "severance payments or payments for unused vacation or sick leave" (16 P.S. 11652(4.1)).

Commissioner Winck moved that the board follow the attorney's recommendation; Debra Brown seconded the motion. The minutes record that the motion was approved. The meeting then adjourned following a second motion by Commissioner Winck, seconded by Melissa Cottle; the minutes list the adjournment time as 10:05 a.m.

Attendees listed in the minutes were Commissioner Mike Stiles, Commissioner Winck, Melissa Cottle and Debra Brown; advisory attendees were Melissa Millard and Lori Black. Commissioner Deb Baughman was recorded as absent. The minutes include signature lines for Debra Brown, chief clerk, and Mike Stiles, commissioner chair.

The action implements the attorney's recommended interpretation of Act 96 as recorded in the minutes; the document cited is Act 96 of 1971, 16 P.S. 11652(4.1). The minutes do not record a roll-call vote or provide a tally of votes.