Benton County board tables handbook changes including sick‑leave conversion after budget and process questions

Benton County officials voted to table the planned January 1 adoption of a revised employee handbook after several board members raised budget and administration questions about a sick‑leave conversion policy.

The handbook revision under discussion includes a provision allowing retiring employees to convert accrued sick hours into a retirement health savings account for post‑retirement health expenses and premiums. Board members said the county has not received clear information from the third‑party vendor identified by the county’s broker and expressed concern about the cost to taxpayers and how conversions would be budgeted when retirements occur in a fiscal year.

One board member said converting a staff member’s large sick balance could cost tens of thousands of dollars; an example cited in the meeting estimated a potential cost of about $32,000 for a single employee’s conversion. Another board member said the policy could be a strong recruitment incentive but cautioned the county lacks a funding plan and vendor contact. Staff said the vendor had not yet met with county administrators despite a prior resolution approving the change.

Following extended discussion, a board member moved to table making the handbook changes effective Jan. 1 and another board member seconded. The board voted to table the handbook adoption until the new board can review vendor details and hear a presentation from the broker and vendor.

Board members also discussed other handbook items that will be reviewed when the full revision is reconsidered, including per‑diem and drug‑and‑alcohol testing policy language.

The motion to table directs staff to obtain vendor details and budget impact figures and to return with additional information before implementing the handbook changes.