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Bluff City amends municipal code on compensation, meal breaks and police work periods
Summary
The Bluff City board adopted Ordinance 2025‑003 to amend Title 4, Chapter 2 of the municipal code with provisions on compensation, 30‑minute meal periods for shifts of five or more hours (excluding police and dispatch), and FLSA‑related work‑period definitions for public safety staff.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen adopted Ordinance 2025‑003, amending Title 4, Chapter 2 of the Bluff City Municipal Code to revise compensation and work‑period rules, rest‑break guidance and overtime computation consistent with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Key changes in the ordinance include: a requirement that employees working five hours or more per shift take a 30‑minute meal break unless specifically excused by an immediate supervisor (the provision excludes police officers and dispatchers); definition of the regular work period as a recurring 168‑hour period (seven consecutive 24‑hour periods) except as provided for public safety employees under the FLSA 7(k) exemption; police officers will have a 28‑day work period under the 7(k) exemption with overtime paid for hours in excess of 171 hours during that 28‑day work period; a flat $50 per hour rate tied to grant‑funded traffic details was described for certain grant situations; and an emergency callout supplement of $20 per callout for hourly employees called in outside their regular schedule.
During the second reading and public hearing, a board member asked whether the $50 hourly rate meant the city would begin paying $50 per hour directly to officers. A department representative explained that the $50 per hour rate applies specifically to traffic details administered through the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO), that the department receives a $2,500 grant award for those details and that the department tracks and submits details to the state for quarterly reimbursement. Presenters emphasized strict tracking requirements imposed by the grant and eligibility that depends on work‑period and overtime rules for the 28‑day cycle.
The ordinance clarifies that overtime requires prior approval of the town manager or designee except in emergencies and that emergency call‑out compensation applies only to hourly (non‑exempt) employees. The ordinance text states it becomes effective immediately upon final passage.
Board procedure: Vice Mayor Adams moved to pass Ordinance 2025‑003; Alderman Keith seconded. The town recorder called the roll and the ordinance passed on second reading with all recorded votes in the affirmative.
The public hearing portion produced no public speakers on the ordinance. Board discussion focused on grant administration, eligibility rules for grant‑funded overtime details and the department’s procedure for quarterly reimbursement.
