Supervisors review sick leave, draft policy

     In early July, Sheriff’s Deputy Tim Miller met with the Jones County Supervisors to discuss a possible policy where county employees could donate sick leave to co-workers under certain conditions, for example, when that co-worker is dealing with an extended illness.

     At the July 20 Jones County Board of Supervisor meeting, County Auditor Whitney Hein presented a draft policy to the board for their review. Hein said this draft is administratively simpler when it comes to tracking sick leave hours.

     “I wanted to get away from creating a bank of donated time,” explained Hein of an unlimited pool of sick leave. “My office has to keep track of this.”

     The board felt that all county department heads needed to also review the policy before it was approved.

     “We need input from all departments, not just the Sheriff’s Office,” said Supervisor Jeff Swisher.

     County Engineer Derek Snead asked whether the county wanted to include the union in the discussion.

     “I will address it with the union contract,” said Hein.

     Within the policy, it states that the identity of those county employees donating sick leave could be withheld. Swisher said he was in favor of that.

     “Would you give the employee the ability to identify themselves?” asked Snead.

     “That would be a question for Kristofer Lyons (county attorney),” offered Hein. “We don’t want to set a precedent or feel obligated to reveal the name. But, most of the time people would know anyway as word gets around.”

     Another stipulation in the policy, an employee could donate up to 40 hours at a single time.

     “What happens if there is a drawn-out absence?” asked Swisher.

     “We could accept a maximum of 480 hours in total or it would be considered a long-term disability covered by insurance,” explained Hein. “You could be on that for up to five years.”

     Hein said she also felt the county employee taking donated sick time would have to have exhausted their own sick and personal time first and foremost.

     “If you’re asking for donations (of time), you should have used up your own time first,” she said.

     The board will approve the policy after department heads have had a chance to review it as well.

In other county business:

     • Following the July 14 tornado storms that hit the Monticello area, EMA Coordinator Brenda Leonard shared with the supervisors that there wasn’t enough damage to qualify for a disaster declaration.

     “The storm hit a field here and there,” she said. “Some older barns and crops were damaged; no houses, luckily.”

     • The board approved a contract with Advancement Services of Jones County for cleaning services at Broadway Place Annex. The new contract includes a 50-cent increase from $10.25 to $10.75 an hour. This is for seven to 10 hours a week.

     • The board approved a setback variance at 2323 200^th Avenue for the construction of a cattle shed.

     • The board approved the submission of an application for County Engineer Derek Snead to apply for $500,000 in safety funds for the resurfacing of County Road E-34.

     Snead said there is a sharp curve on the road that also has a history of accidents.

     “There has been multiple severe and one fatal accident,” reported Snead.