Baker County commissioners on July 16 adopted an updated drug-and-alcohol policy for nonrepresented employees and approved a countywide disability-accommodation policy.

Heidi, county HR lead, presented proposed language drawn from model policies. She noted the draft defines prohibited conduct to include “consumption of any intoxicating liquor within 4 hours of reporting to work” and language about detectable amounts of narcotics, stimulants, sedatives or other controlled substances while on duty. Commissioners asked staff to clarify terminology around “drug” and controlled substances and to ensure prescription medications and medical marijuana are addressed consistently. One county attorney-style staff member cautioned against overbroad phrasing and recommended more specific controlled-substance language; Heidi agreed to clarify the list of substance categories and to maintain prescription-notification provisions that allow accommodation where appropriate.

Commissioners voted to adopt the disability-accommodation policy for all employees and the drug-and-alcohol policy for nonrepresented employees, with the agreed wording change to clarify controlled-substance language and the four-hour intoxicating-liquor rule.

Why it matters: the policies set workplace standards for safety-sensitive duties, testing, prescription medication notification and accommodation procedures for county employees. Staff said unions representing represented employees will be separately consulted where required.