Commission eliminates compensatory time, tightens overtime and swaps Fair Friday for Columbus Day

Rich County commissioners approved amendments to two personnel policies Jan. 8 that reshape overtime, comp time and holiday pay for county employees.

Under the amended policy, nonexempt employees will be paid overtime (1.5 times regular pay) for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. The county eliminated the option for employees to receive compensatory time (comp time) in lieu of overtime pay going forward; existing comp time balances will remain subject to the previous four‑month-use rule unless the commission decides otherwise.

The commission also clarified how holiday work is compensated: nonexempt employees required to work on an observed holiday will receive their regular holiday pay plus pay for hours actually worked; if those hours are also overtime, employees would receive holiday pay plus the overtime rate (resulting in 2.5x for holiday overtime hours). The commission additionally approved an interlineation of the paid‑holiday list to remove “Fair Friday” and add Columbus Day as an observed holiday.

County staff said deputies and public‑safety employees retain limited exceptions for emergency overtime without prior authorization, but supervisors must still approve or confirm overtime after the fact. Commissioners directed departments to notify employees of the policy changes and to clear up payroll and comp‑time accounting before the four‑month comp‑time expiration window runs.

The commission executed a resolution to adopt the policy amendments and instructed staff to distribute copies to department heads and employees.