Council approves amended cell‑phone stipend policy; employees told work‑related content on personal devices may be subject to records requests

The council approved resolution 2026‑18, an amendment to the county personnel policy addressing cell‑phone stipend levels and related records access. Amy presented the changes, which reorganize stipend levels (level 1–3) to allow department heads to allocate monthly stipends based on estimated usage while retaining council oversight for any stipend adjustments.

Crucially, the amended policy clarifies that employees who use a personal device for work and accept a stipend agree that work‑related communications (calls, texts, photos, emails) on that device may be subject to records requests. Amy explained that the intent is to limit records requests to work‑related content, not every personal item on an employee’s device.

Council moved and seconded approval of resolution 2026‑18 and voted in favor. The policy remains structured so stipend amounts are reviewed annually by the compensation committee; current stipend amounts remain in effect until the committee recommends changes to the council.

Next steps: the compensation committee will continue annual reviews, and HR will update employees on the records‑access language and provide guidance about separating personal and work communications on devices.