Fairfield Township unveils personnel‑manual changes aimed at cutting overtime and benefits costs

At a first reading on May 14, Administrator Miss Leensy presented Resolution 26‑55, a set of proposed amendments to the township personnel manual intended to reduce costs and clarify longstanding practices.

Key proposals included: requiring administrator approval for all overtime to reduce unplanned overtime spending; paying out comp time at year end rather than allowing 180‑day carryover; reducing callback pay in some circumstances from four to two hours; adding an employee health‑insurance opt‑out incentive (calculated as 25% of the township's monthly premium set‑aside) beginning January 2027 with a possible spousal‑coverage exclusion in 2028 if participation is insufficient; clarifying retirement and Social Security participation rules for part‑time firefighters; and adding a cell‑phone policy with discussion about eliminating general reimbursement while continuing service phones for investigative staff. Leensy told trustees that overtime in 2025 totaled $688,450.77 and that several changes are projected to produce annual savings.

Trustees treated the item as a first reading and gave direction to staff to meet with department heads to refine details (for example, which positions require take‑home vehicles, how to handle unpaid leaves and whether to require employees on unpaid leave to move to COBRA). Several trustees supported the overall direction but emphasized the need to negotiate contract terms with unionized staff (police and fire) and called for more data about impacts before final adoption.

The board did not adopt the personnel manual amendments at this meeting; Resolution 26‑55 remains a first reading pending follow‑up with department heads and union negotiations.