Commissioners keep longevity pay at one year after budget debate

The court debated proposed revisions to the employee personnel policy (section 4.10) that would have reduced the eligibility threshold for the additional longevity base from one year to six months. HR staff provided a cost estimate: "If you move to the 6 months, it's going to cost an additional $59,000 for full time employees and about 4,500 for part time," and noted administrative complexity in calculating part-time eligibility.

Some commissioners argued the budget workshop consensus had included the six-month change to help recently hired staff; others stressed the importance of consistency and the original policy's intent to reward longer service. After discussion, a motion to deny the revisions (leave longevity pay at one year) carried on a voice vote, 3 yeas to 2 nays. Staff said changing the rule back and forth would create extra payroll and HR workload and complicate continuous-service calculations.