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Atchison County adopts inclement-weather closure policy clarifying pay and decision authority
Summary
The county adopted a version of an inclement-weather policy stating county employees in closed departments will receive regular pay and that the chair will consult the emergency management director before declaring closures; vote was 3-0.
Atchison County commissioners on Jan. 28 adopted an inclement-weather closure policy that clarifies how county employees are paid when county offices close due to hazardous weather.
Under the policy text read into the record, “In the event that the chairperson of the board of county commissioners declares a closure of county offices due to inclement weather, all closed department county employees shall receive their regular scheduled pay. During the closure, paid time off will not be utilized.” The policy also allows department heads for operational units that must remain staffed (emergency services, dispatch, road and bridge, sheriff’s deputies and corrections) discretion to provide scheduled administrative pay or require employees to use PTO when employees are unable to report for duty.
Commissioners directed that the chair consult the county emergency management director when making the closure decision; the policy language will be included in the employee handbook. The motion to adopt the version read as “number 3” passed unanimously, 3 to 0.
Why it matters: The policy sets a consistent pay expectation for nonoperational staff during weather closures and clarifies decision-making authority, while preserving department head discretion for essential, continuously staffed units.
What commissioners asked: Commissioners sought clarity on who initiates a closure call; the chair and the emergency management director agreed the director would contact the chair when conditions warrant a closure and that the handbook will reflect that procedure.
Ending: The commission approved the policy and instructed staff to include verbiage in the employee handbook.
