Questions about employee leave continue in Benton County handbook discussion

VINTON — Benton County Supervisors tabled action on changes to its sick leave policy during an Aug. 6 meeting.

Joy Wieditz, an employee in the treasurer’s office, had questions about sick leave and vacation time, which were revised at the previous meeting.

The changes take effect Jan. 1, 2025.

Wieditz hoped to give some of her sick time to her husband, who is having open heart surgery before Jan. 1. She wanted to be allowed to use her sick time for parent, child and spouse effective immediately.

Supervisor Chairman Richard Primmer asked when the next meeting of the handbook committee can be held. Supervisor Tracy Seeman said he favored tabling this until the next meeting so he can get a little more information.

“Maybe we should revisit what we did last week and kind of make this retroactive,” Seeman said.

Seeman also wanted to talk with County Attorney Ray Lough regarding sick leave and donated leave. He wants to be sure the wording is right, he said. Then the board can revise its resolution.

Primmer wanted to see the committee tweak the handbook.

The board tabled the matter and urged the committee to reconvene as soon as possible.

Wieditz also talked about some new hires getting five more days of vacation than some longtime employees. The board previously approved giving five more vacation days to employees with experience of 17 years or more, effective Jan. 1, based on their anniversary dates.

“It’s time to fix this hostile environment,” said Wieditz. “You created this and you can fix this. Make it right and give the employees with 17-plus years the extra five days effective July 1, 2024.

“We deserve it, and we have earned it,” said Wieditz.

No action was taken. Primmer said that making the change effective Jan. 1 was a budgetary decision.

Other business, the board approved getting a new brush for the tractor mower and approved a resolution to temporarily close 63rd Street in Big Grove Township for bridge replacement.

The project should be completed in 60 days.

Supervisors set a $1,500 credit card limit for Dean Vrba, Benton County Emergency Management Agency. It is to be used for conferences and minimal purchases.

The Board of Supervisors made Jakob Long equipment operator for secondary roads at $26.30 per hour.