In a unanimous vote on Aug. 11, Washington County supervisors approved a resolution authorizing temporary changes for county employees due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Initially the board had approved a March 27 resolution maintaining employee wages for those on administrative leave as a result of COVID-19. 

At that time, county facilities, in a health protection move for employees and the public, were closed to the public. They were re-opened July 1.

In the first resolution it was acknowledged that employees could be sent home due to likely exposure to the virus and, in accordance with state law, would be paid if placed on administrative leave. 

Included in the wage protection was board approved wage protection through use of sick time, vacation time and other paid time to make up the difference in full wage and administrative leave. 

As of April 2, the Iowa Families First Corona Response Act (FFCRA) included the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act. 

The latter provided some employees leave attributed to actual exposure to the virus be covered at 100 percent of wages, while other situations involving the virus be covered at two-thirds payment. 

The county allowed the use of other income sources to cover the difference for both a COVID-exposed employee on administrative leave or a non-essential employee sent home, with no ability to work from home to receive 100% pay through wages and supplemental sources.

With the re-opening of facilities, the board agreed the need to limit facilities to only essential personnel “has now been largely eliminated” and Tuesday rescinded the earlier resolution, starting with the employee pay period that starts Aug. 27.   

For those under quarantine order from Iowa Department of Health due to COVID-19, full coverage continues.

For others with COVID-19 issues (which can involve caring for infected family members), the county will provide 66% of hours claimed as administrative leave. 

Again, an employee can elect to use personal leave time to supplement the two-thirds pay. 

Currently, full-time employees can bank 240 hours of time and part-time, 140 hours. 

That changes Jan. 1, 2021, when it is 200 hours for full-time and 120 for part-time. There is also a provision for review of leave time. 

The resolution is still considered temporary during the crisis.

The board also approved payroll procedures for non-exempt ambulance personnel, dating to July 1, detailing procedures for time cards, vacation time and personal days for a department that is staffed 24/7.   

Some concerns arose regarding backup/on-call ambulance pay in which an employee could be on call but never be called, with Supervisor Stan Stoops noting one could be in uniform waiting to be called and never get a call.

“That’s not treating them well,” Stoops said. “It can come back to bite us.”