Scappoose adopts updated personnel handbook, strips proposed paid "volunteer leave" after council debate

The Scappoose City Council on April 21 adopted Resolution 25-04, replacing the city—s personnel policy handbook and repealing Resolution 22-02. The council voted by voice to approve the revised handbook as amended; the resolution takes effect upon passage.

City staff described the handbook as the document that governs the employment relationship between the city and its employees. Assistant to the City Manager N.J. Johnson told the council the update reflects changes in state law, recommendations from staff and a model handbook from the city—s insurer, and local preferences the city added after soliciting staff feedback. "The city's personnel policy handbook is essentially the governing relationship between the city organization and then all employees there within," Johnson said.

The handbook contains a number of substantive changes the council discussed at length. Key revisions include: - Vacation carryover and buyback: The maximum vacation carryover for nonrepresented full-time employees increases to 320 hours; the handbook raises the vacation buyback cap to 80 hours. Staff…