Sarpy County engineer demands urgent leave policy reforms

During a recent Sarpy County Board meeting, significant discussions centered around employee leave policies and proposed amendments to personnel regulations. Senior engineer Zachary Hergenrader from Sarpy County Public Works raised concerns regarding the county's current leave policy, which he argued is lagging behind those of comparable local agencies. Hergenrader highlighted that the elimination of the wellness program and reductions in vacation days have made it challenging to attract quality candidates, particularly for a civil engineer position that remains unfilled.

Hergenrader urged the board to direct the Human Resources department to review and recommend changes to the personnel rules, specifically Rule Twelve, to enhance the county's competitiveness in hiring. He expressed his willingness to provide data supporting the need for these changes and emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue.

The meeting also included the approval of minutes from the previous session and a discussion on revisions to the board's personnel policies, particularly concerning open meeting rules. Kayla Starbuck, deputy county attorney, presented amendments to align the board's procedures with state open meeting laws, which were implemented in July. The board approved these changes, noting minor clerical errors that would be corrected post-meeting.

Additionally, the board discussed revisions to the nepotism policy, aimed at clarifying existing regulations. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further evaluate personnel rules to ensure they meet the needs of the county's workforce and align with best practices in the region.