County introduces Millie Morgan Act for retirement fund access while employed

The Delaware County Commissioners meeting held on April 21, 2025, addressed several key topics, including updates on employee retirement options, infrastructure projects, and parking improvements at the Justice Center.

The meeting began with a discussion on the Millie Morgan Act, which allows current government employees to access their Public Employee Retirement Fund (PERF) while still employed, provided they meet certain criteria. The criteria typically include a combined age and service total of 85 years, with 65 years of age and 20 years of service being the standard. Currently, approximately 65 employees qualify for this benefit, but only a few are taking advantage of it. To raise awareness, the county plans to host informational meetings with the PERF group from the state at both the County Building and the Justice Center. Attendees are encouraged to consult with financial advisors before making decisions regarding their retirement options.

In addition to retirement discussions, the commissioners announced that Walnut Street will be closed between Jackson and Main for a water main project, set to begin in the coming week. This closure is part of ongoing infrastructure improvements in the area.

The meeting also covered recent paving work at the Justice Center. A portion of the parking lot was completed over the weekend, with adjustments made to handicap parking and visitor areas to improve accessibility. However, some striping remains unfinished, and there have been issues with improper parking in the area. To address this, an offloading zone has been established for service vehicles to prevent damage to the new concrete.

Looking ahead, the next phase of the paving project is expected to commence in early July, contingent upon the removal of construction barriers from the BW construction site.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the county's efforts to enhance employee benefits and improve infrastructure, while also addressing community concerns regarding parking and accessibility.