In a recent government meeting, discussions centered around the potential transition from the current leave program to a Paid Time Off (PTO) system for county employees. The existing VACC leave program includes annual and sick leave, with no cap on accrual. Employees can cash out up to 240 hours of annual leave upon separation, while sick leave payouts are tiered and require a minimum of 10 years of service.

To address long-term financial liabilities, the board has tasked staff with developing recommendations for the new PTO system. A focus group, consisting of department directors, managers, and key financial personnel, convened multiple times to consider the implications of this change on employees, particularly those with significant leave balances.

The proposed PTO structure would allow employees to accrue leave according to an updated schedule, with slight reductions in accrual rates for those with less than two years or more than 16 years of service. Unlike the current system, where annual leave cannot be utilized during the probationary period, the new PTO policy would permit employees to use their accrued leave as it is earned. Additionally, a floating holiday, which serves as a longevity bonus after five years of service, would be implemented on a \"use it or lose it\" basis.

The county administrator has shared these options with department directors to facilitate communication with employees about the potential changes. The board is expected to review the recommendations in the coming sessions, aiming to enhance employee benefits while managing the county's financial responsibilities.