Council hears proposed sick-leave payout change, new encampment coordinator and care-navigation funding; VOCA hours unclear

Lexington City Council members on Thursday heard details about a proposed change to the city’s sick‑leave payout practice for future hires, a new encampment coordinator position, a partnership and technology funding with Bluegrass Care Navigators, and the uses of a federal VOCA grant for sexual‑assault nurse examiners.

The presentation by Glenda George, director of human resources, said employees hired after July 1, 2025, would not be eligible to receive cash payouts for accrued sick time above 600 hours. George told the council that the city paid about $2.2 million in January 2025 to civil‑service employees who held more than 600 hours of sick leave. "If you don't use any sick time, it will take you five years to accumulate 600 hours," she said, explaining the city would not realize most savings from the change for several years.

Council members pressed for details about timing and fiscal effect; George said the change would not produce immediate savings because accrual…