In a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant changes to the employment status of contract workers within the Partners in Prevention program. The budget for this initiative is set to increase from $589,659 to $714,992, primarily to accommodate the transition of five contract employees to permanent city positions. This shift follows new guidelines from the Department of Labor, which stipulate that if an employer is the sole source of income for contract workers, those individuals must be classified as employees.

The discussion highlighted the complexities surrounding the classification of these workers, with officials noting that the Department of Labor's criteria necessitated this change. The five employees in question provide mentoring services to both the county and local school districts, which raised questions about the funding and payment structure for these services.

Council member Kimball expressed concerns regarding the financial implications of this transition, particularly in relation to taxpayer money and the funding sources for the mentoring services. She sought clarification on whether school districts were compensating the city for these services or if they were being provided at no cost.

The meeting underscored the importance of maintaining strong relationships with local educational institutions while ensuring fiscal responsibility. The budget increase includes provisions for employee benefits, but does not account for potential salary raises, focusing solely on labor costs and benefits associated with the new employment status.