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Commission extends this year's excess vacation carryover deadline to March 31, 2026 while directing a policy review
Summary
After extensive discussion, commissioners voted to allow employees who exceeded the vacation carryover maximum for this year an additional 90 days into 2026 to use excess hours; the board directed department heads and a committee process to return with proposals by early next year.
Coffey County commissioners debated options for employees who have accrued vacation time above policy ceilings and approved a temporary extension allowing excess hours from this year to be used through March 31, 2026.
The issue arose from multiple departments reporting employees with accrued vacation balances above policy limits. Commissioners discussed alternatives including one-time buyouts, carryover limits, departmental scheduling and a cross-department employee committee to propose solutions. Several commissioners opposed a buyout that would include step-and-level pay adjustments; others raised concerns about staffing impacts if employees were required to use large amounts of time at once.
After extended discussion the board approved a motion to extend the deadline by 90 days into 2026 (employees must use excess carryover by March 31, 2026). Commissioners emphasized the extension does not represent a promise of future buyouts and directed staff to present proposals and bring the matter back for final decisions by December 1, 2025 and again in early January to establish any long-term policy changes. The board also suggested department heads encourage employees to schedule vacation earlier in the year and consider departmental policies to reduce future accrual peaking.
Why it matters: The decision affects employees with high accrued leave and county staffing plans. The extension gives employees nine months (from Jan. 1, 2026) to use new accrual and the additional 90 days to consume this year's excess, while giving commissioners time to craft a uniform policy to prevent recurring year-end accrual spikes.
Commissioners moved and seconded the motion; voice vote recorded "aye" and the motion carried. Staff will place the item back on future agendas for further policymaking and instructed department heads to discuss the issue with employees and return suggestions.
