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Rapid City committee approves employee incentive for United Way donations after debate on cost and oversight
Summary
The committee approved a resolution authorizing eligible city employees who donate a —fair share— (one hour of pay per month) to United Way to receive eight hours of paid time off; council members debated costs, equity, and precedent before approving the measure.
Human Resources Director Amber Cornell described a proposed resolution that would award any city employee who contributes a—fair share——defined in discussion as one hour of pay per month (12 hours per year)—an eight-hour paid time-off incentive.
Cornell said the change would replace a 2011 resolution that authorized a raffle of 25 personal holidays among contributors, and the new approach would give the day off directly to qualifying employees rather than putting names in a raffle. She said the United Way of the Black Hills supports programs across education, financial stability and health and that the new approach aims to increase employee participation.
John Cass, executive director of United Way (board), told the committee, "we were able to fund 58 agencies this last year." He described United Way—s vetting of programs and said the organization distributes funds to specific programs in the areas of education, health, and financial stability.
Several committee members raised concerns about cost and oversight. Councilman Bill Evans questioned whether the employee donation would equal the value of the paid time off and whether the city might incur productivity or overtime costs. Cornell and Finance Office staff explained the mechanics as discussed in the meeting: an employee donating one hour per month (12 hours year) would receive eight hours of paid time off from the city. Finance staff said many employees are salaried and tasks would still be done; some departments (notably fire) could face overtime. Finance staff described the cost more as an opportunity-cost (reduced on-site hours) rather than a direct cash expenditure.
City Attorney Joel Landin and others recounted a long history of city support for United Way and argued workplace campaigns have declined in recent years; they urged trying an incentive to increase participation. Proponents said streamlined online sign-up and payroll deduction would reduce staff time previously spent organizing raffles and prize solicitations.
After discussion a motion to approve was made and the committee voted in favor (mover and seconder recorded in the meeting but no roll-call tally in transcript). The meeting transcript records: "There's a motion by Temang and a second by Sechrist to approve. All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion carries."
