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Sarpy County board approves updates to personnel rules, leave and travel policies
Summary
The Sarpy County Personnel Policy Board unanimously recommended updates to several personnel rules and county policies, including employee performance appraisals, classification procedures, leave rules, catastrophic leave donations, a travel and per diem policy, the compensation plan and the code of ethics. All motions carried 4–0 (one absent).
The Sarpy County Personnel Policy Board on Oct. 8, 2025, recommended approval of multiple updates to the county’s personnel rules and administrative policies, voting 4–0 with one member absent on each item.
Jody Bridal, Sarpy County HR Director, presented the package of updates. On employee performance (Rule 6, Regulation 10), Bridal said HR will “work with department heads or elected officials to develop an appraisal system,” acknowledging variation in jobs across departments and allowing tailored appraisal systems. On the classification system (Rule 10, Regulation 1), Bridal said the policy clarifies the process for requesting new full‑time equivalents and aligns requests with the budget and a full‑time‑equivalent committee.
The board approved a change to personal leave for nonunion employees (Rule 12) that credits new hires with 40 hours of paid personal leave on hire or after the probationary period. Bridal described the catastrophic‑illness leave donation policy (Rule 12, Regulation 4) as a simplification designed "to make it easier for the employee to follow should they find themselves in this situation and also make it a little easier for managers to help employees navigate." The board also approved an updated code of ethics and a new Sarpy County travel and business expense policy that adopts federal per‑diem rates for meals and incidentals and clarifies p‑card use and receipt requirements.
A compensation plan update (Rule 11, Regulation 1) mainly refreshed language and reiterated that HR sets starting salaries and administers the county merit award program; Bridal said the plan is consistent with state statute. The board approved each item by voice or hand vote after brief discussion; each motion passed 4 yeas, 1 absent.
Votes at a glance: - Approve minutes of the Aug. 14, 2025 meeting — Motion by Jonathan Davidson; second by Donald Gifford; outcome: approved 4–0 (1 absent). - Rule 6, Regulation 10 (employee performance) — Motion by Jonathan Davidson; second by Donald Gifford; outcome: recommended approval 4–0 (1 absent). - Rule 10, Regulation 1 (classification system administration) — Motion by Donald Gifford; second by Diane Bruce; outcome: recommended approval 4–0 (1 absent). - Rule 12 (types of leave) — personal leave provision (40 hours on hire/probation) — Motion by Donald Gifford; second by Diane Bruce; outcome: recommended approval 4–0 (1 absent). - Rule 12, Regulation 4 (catastrophic illness leave donation program) — Motion by Jonathan Davidson; second by Donald Gifford; outcome: recommended approval 4–0 (1 absent). - Code of ethics for county employees — Motion by Jonathan Davidson; second by Donald Gifford; outcome: recommended approval 4–0 (1 absent). - Sarpy County travel and business expense policy and per‑diem form (new) — Motion by Jonathan Davidson; second by Donald Gifford; outcome: recommended approval 4–0 (1 absent). - Rule 11, Regulation 1 (compensation plan administration) — Motion by Jonathan Davidson; second by Donald Gifford; outcome: recommended approval 4–0 (1 absent).
Board members who voted in favor were Jonathan Davidson, Donald Gifford, Melissa Kimberling and Diane Bruce; Randy Bennett was recorded absent for the meeting. The board moved to the grievance hearing after completing the policy package.
The approvals update how department heads and HR will coordinate on appraisals and staffing requests, add a per‑diem option to reduce barriers to travel for training, and clarify leave and donation processes for employees.
