Columbia County commissioners on Sept. 15 approved an amended compensation policy that clarifies when employees become eligible for longevity pay.

Human Resources Director Christy (last name not stated) told the board the previous language described longevity as beginning after employees had completed 10 years of service; HR and the auditor’s office preferred explicit wording that longevity begins on the employee's 11th year to avoid confusion about the eligibility date.

"The longevity pay starts on year 11," Christy said, noting she revised the policy to remove redundant paragraphs and to state the rule in unambiguous terms. The amended policy was presented as a minor, technical correction to the version the board had already approved earlier; commissioners voted to adopt the revised text.

Board members recorded no opposition; the revised policy will be implemented by HR and the auditor's office in payroll operations going forward.