Consider action to approve a Resolution of the City Council of Watauga revising policies 6.04 Classification and Compensation, 8.02 Vacation Leave, 8.03 Sick Leave, and 18.01 Inclement Weather of the Personnel, Administration and Financial Policies in the Procedures Manual.

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

City staff is proposing revisions to policies 6.04 Classification and Compensation Plan, 8.02 Vacation Leave, 8.03 Sick Leave and 18.01 Inclement Weather of the Personnel, Administration, and Financial Policies and Procedures Manual for clarification, improvement, and employee guidance on effective usage of the policy manual. 6.04 Classification and Compensation Plan Policy revisions include allowing the COLA to be paid at an alternate date than the beginning of the fiscal year as presented this budget year for a January date. Also, the proposed addition of Field Training Officer (FTO) pay is being incorporated into the Classification and Compensation Policy as a result of the Meet and Confer deliberations requested by the Watauga Police Officers Association (WPOA). The provision establishes additional compensation for sworn Police Officers who are formally designated and assigned as FTOs, while clarifying eligibility and ensuring the additional pay is limited to approved FTO assignments. The proposed Employee Cost Savings Incentive establishes a program to encourage employees to identify opportunities to reduce City costs, improve operational efficiency, enhance public service, or generate additional revenue. The program provides for a one-time award of up to $1,500 for eligible recommendations that result in verified savings or other measurable benefits to the City, subject to budget availability and City Manager approval. 8.02 Vacation Leave Policy The proposed revisions to Vacation Leave Policy 8.02 are intended to clarify leave administration, provide greater consistency in the application of vacation requirements, and address the treatment of accrued leave at separation. The revisions would allow employees with vacation balances exceeding the established maximum to temporarily carry over up to an additional 60 - 80 hours, with the balance being reduced to the applicable maximum on the final pay date in September. This provision does not increase the City’s vac

This motion is scored as EXPANDS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 2.4/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, measures that increase tax rates or fee schedules, issue new debt or Certificates of Obligation, expand regulatory/zoning restrictions on private land use, or authorize unbudgeted spending expansions reduce an official's Freedom Score when voted YES (and reward dissenting NO votes).