Commissioners alter vacation payouts and raise county's health-insurance share

At multiple meetings, commissioners approved revisions to employee policies affecting vacation payout and health insurance. The board amended the vacation benefits policy to allow Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff employees to have carryover hours paid out at 100% of hourly rate on their anniversary date; commissioners also added road department staff to the payout provision and removed certain sections affecting social services and elected officials.

Commissioners voted to increase the employer share of health-insurance premiums to 80% (employee 20%) retroactive to Jan. 1, 2023. The board discussed budgetary impacts of these changes and approved related payroll and staffing motions, including termination of certain interim pay arrangements once a permanent jail administrator was hired.