Marlboro County Council approves second reading of personnel policies manual; final vote set for Nov. 13

Marlboro County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 871, which would adopt a new Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual for county employees.

Doris Sumpter, the county’s director of administrative services, presented the proposed manual and provided hard copies to council members. Sumpter identified a set of specific changes under consideration, including pregnancy accommodations; expanded language on sexual and other illegal harassment; overtime compensation and compensatory-time rules; annual- and sick-leave accruals, carryover and maximum balances; criteria for requesting leave from the sick-leave bank; temporary part‑time employee rules; demotion and pay‑for‑performance language; phone‑in procedures; conflict‑of‑interest and civic/political activity rules; firearms policy; social media guidance; and rules for take‑home vehicles.

Council members discussed the proposed language and asked staff to finalize edits before the next meeting. Council directed that the revisions be completed in time for a public hearing and the ordinance’s third and final reading, scheduled for Nov. 13, 2025.

The meeting opened at 5 p.m. in the Marlboro County Council chambers at the William P. Wallace, Sr. Administration Building. After approving the agenda by unanimous voice vote (motion by Mr. Verd Odom, seconded by Dr. Damien Johnson), council entered an executive session to discuss contractual matters; the body later left closed session and the chairman said no votes or decisions were taken during that time. Mr. Charles P. Midgley Jr. joined the meeting at about 6:05 p.m.; Mr. Lafeyette Jackson joined at about 5:55 p.m.

On the ordinance motion, Dr. Damien Johnson moved to approve the second reading; Mr. Steve Blackmon seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Council then moved to adjourn, and the meeting ended at 7:30 p.m.

Next steps: staff will incorporate the requested edits and present the revised Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual at the Nov. 13 meeting, which will include a public hearing and the third and final reading of Ordinance No. 871.