Commissioners approve updates to retiree health coverage, sick leave pool and E-Verify MOU

Hardin County Commissioners Court on Sept. 9 approved multiple personnel policy updates proposed by Human Resources Director Melinda Harrington.

Harrington said the retiree health insurance policy will be changed to pay 100% of retiring health insurance for employees with 30 consecutive years of service. "The retiring health insurance policy is just what was discussed on July 28 where we will pay 100% of retiring health insurance, with 30 consecutive years of service," Harrington told the court. Commissioners asked whether the county could require retirees who obtain health coverage from a subsequent employer to come off county insurance; Harrington said the county has not yet finalized an enforceable process for that and is still evaluating options.

The court also approved a sick leave pool policy, effective Oct. 1, that Harrington and commissioners had previously presented. The policy, described as matching the July 28 presentation, establishes a mechanism for employees to contribute to and draw from a pooled sick leave resource under specified conditions.

Separately, commissioners authorized the county judge to sign an E-Verify memorandum of understanding to permit county employers to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm new employees' eligibility to work in the United States.

All three items passed by vote without substantive amendments. The court did not adopt a firm enforcement mechanism during the meeting for retirees who later obtain employer-sponsored coverage; Harrington said the office is researching enforceability and notification issues.