(Harlan) The Shelby County Board of Supervisors discussed and considered a temporary addition to the County sick leave policy at their meeting Tuesday.
According to the minutes, the following policy will remain in effect for the duration of this emergency and expire when the Supervisors declare the emergency over:
During the time designated by the Board as a disaster emergency pursuant to Resolution 2020-15, in the event that an employee shall use all of that employee’s accrued sick leave, the employee shall continue to be paid per the County’s sick leave policy until June 1, 2020, or until such time as the Board determines an emergency no longer exists, whichever is earlier. However, the amount of additional sick leave granted to an employee under this policy shall not exceed 80 hours. Such sick leave shall be referred to as “negative sick leave.” If, at the time an employee’s employment with the County is terminated for any reason, such employee has not fully reimbursed the County for negative sick leave used under this policy, the County shall withhold from employee’s final pay check such amount as is necessary to reimburse the County for such negative sick leave. Prior to incurring negative sick leave, the employee shall execute an agreement with the County agreeing to such reimbursement.
The Shelby County Board of Supervisors also approved a motion for Shelby County to be the fiscal agent for the department of Public Health and Iowa Community Kitchen for the production and transport of up to 300 meals to vulnerable county residents up to 12 weeks. Donations to the community kitchen are also welcome to support their infrastructure to provide these meals.
In other news, Mark Maxwell, Auditor and Election Commissioner, informed the Supervisors that in person absentee voting must be allowed. The Courthouse entrance will have a precinct election official at the door to admit voters to the lower entry level of the Courthouse during normal business hours. All other areas of the Courthouse will be closed. One voter at a time will be allowed in the Courthouse. This will be attempted to be done in this manner unless it becomes unworkable then moving the absentee voting to another location will be necessary. If voters would request an absentee ballot now, they do not have to vote in person, they may vote by absentee by mail. Special provisions are being made for election day. Voters who choose to wait until election day may expect long lines caused by social distancing and the number of people allowed in a group. Again, voting absentee by mail would alleviate much of the burden on election day. Also, the Primary polling place in Earling will be moved from St. Josephs Hall to the Earling Fire Hall.
