Commissioners adopt updates to employee handbook to consolidate drug policy and add driver record checks

Pickens County commissioners approved two revisions to the county employee handbook: consolidation of a separate drug testing policy into the handbook and the addition of motor vehicle record (MVR) screening criteria for employees who drive county vehicles.

County staff explained that previously the county had a separate “directory policy” (employee drug policy and related signatures) outside the handbook; the update folds those policy elements into a single employee handbook document used at onboarding. The second change adds motor vehicle record checks and defines the county’s criteria for drivers of Pickens County vehicles, including annual and new‑hire checks.

Commissioners moved and seconded the changes and approved them by voice vote. No roll‑call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes.

The meeting record did not include the specific MVR criteria (for example which violations would disqualify a driver) or the exact language of the consolidated drug policy; county staff indicated the handbook will include the criteria and frequency for checks. Those policy details will be available in the updated handbook documents maintained by county human resources.