Eau Claire proposes comp‑time payout changes to comply with WRS; street department workers raise concerns

Summary

An ordinance would change how comp time is earned, used and paid out to ensure compliance with Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) rules. HR staff said the change avoids potential statewide look‑backs and penalties; several city street employees testified they would lose promised time‑off flexibility if comp time must be paid out by mid‑December.

The council heard a presentation May 12 from a city HR director about an ordinance that would alter how employees earn, use and are paid out for compensatory time to ensure compliance with the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS).

The director explained that under the proposed ordinance comp time may be earned January 1 through December 1; hours worked December 2 through year‑end would be paid as overtime. The proposal would also require that the entire comp time balance be used or paid out in the last full pay period in December — in 2025 that means use by Dec. 14 or payment on the Dec. 19 payroll — so that comp time is paid in the year it is earned and the city remains WRS‑compliant.

“This creates WRS compliance issues as the hours are not paid out in the year they were earned and exposes us to risk,” the…

Eau Claire proposes comp‑time payout changes to comply with WRS; street department workers raise concerns

Summary

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