Orangeville council adopts new PTO schedule, formalizes insurance buyout and approves community projects and reimbursements

Orangeville City Council on July 10 approved a revised paid time off (PTO) accrual schedule and added an in-lieu-of-insurance payment to the city personnel policy, along with a series of routine approvals and reimbursements affecting the city budget and community amenities.

The changes to the personnel manual were adopted by unanimous vote after staff presented accrual rates and usage rules. Amanda, city staff, summarized the main provisions: “each permanent full time employee shall accrue annual leave at the following rate: 0 to 1 years is 12 days of PTO accrual… 7 to 9 years is 15 days…and 10 plus years is 18 days,” with specified biweekly and monthly hour equivalents. The policy also consolidates sick and vacation into PTO, sets maximum accrual caps (120 hours for full-time, 60 hours for part-time) and requires a doctor’s certification for sick absences of three or more consecutive workdays unless the mayor grants leave for extenuating circumstances.

The personnel changes were submitted as Resolution 2025-8a (amending section 10, Leaves and Absences) and carried on a three-member roll call of councilmembers present. City staff also moved to add the previously approved in-lieu-of-insurance payment to the written personnel manual as Resolution 2025-9; councilmembers voted to add the language to the manual so that the practice is reflected in policy.

Votes at a glance

- Approve bills and warrants — motion by Councilmember Kevin; seconded; unanimous approval (ayes recorded: Doug; Tracy; Kevin). This routine motion passed. - Approve enterprise hearing minutes (06/10/2025) — motion by Doug; seconded; unanimous approval. - Approve public hearing minutes (06/10/2025) — motion by Doug; seconded; unanimous approval. - Approve regular rescheduled minutes (June) — motion by Kevin; seconded; unanimous approval. - Approve Brandon Hoffman culinary sewer connection — motion by Tracy; seconded by Doug; unanimous approval. - Adopt Resolution 2025-8a (amend personnel manual: PTO accrual schedule) — motion by Kevin; seconded by Tracy and Doug; outcome: adopted (ayes recorded: Tracy; Doug; Kevin). - Adopt Resolution 2025-9 (add in-lieu-of-insurance amount to personnel manual) — motion by city staff; seconded; outcome: adopted (ayes recorded: Kevin; Doug; Tracy). - Approve “Moose’s Free Library” proposal (Dudley family) — motion by Kevin; seconded; unanimous approval. The proposal asks for permission to install a 3½-foot-tall, 2-foot-wide free library near the trail entrance; the family requested no city funding. - Ratify reimbursement to Max Cropper — $203.92; motion by Kevin; seconded; unanimous approval. - Ratify reimbursement to Abby Mack (water truck fuel) — $20.03; motion by Doug; seconded; unanimous approval. - Ratify reimbursement to Tracy Adley (cemetery pump hose clamps) — $20.36; motion by Kevin; seconded; unanimous approval. - Ratify reimbursement to Angela Paskett (pickleball prizes) — $55.71; motion by Doug; seconded; unanimous approval. - Ratify purchase of new community-center countertops — $6,500; motion filed and seconded; unanimous approval. - Ratify reimbursement to Corey Larson for community-center expense — $40; motion filed and seconded; unanimous approval. - Ratify purchase of three additional park cameras and equipment — $605; motion by Doug; seconded by Tracy; unanimous approval.

Why it matters

The personnel manual changes affect accrual and usage of paid leave for city employees and formalize a practice of paying employees who decline employer-provided insurance (in-lieu payments). Those changes set accrual rates, maximum carryover limits and documentation requirements for extended sick leave; they therefore affect payroll practices and administrative implementation across Orangeville departments.

Other approvals include community-facing items: the Dudley family’s volunteer-built “Moose’s Free Library” at the trail entrance, additional cameras at the city park to address repeated vandalism, and renovation items for the community center (countertops). Several small reimbursements and ratifications were approved as year-end housekeeping matters.

Discussion highlights and staff updates

- Girl State report: An unidentified student who attended ALA Utah Girls State described the program as “insanely educational,” saying she learned about caucuses, forms of government and how to write a bill and thanked the council for funding the trip.

- Park vandalism and cleaning: Amanda, city staff, described damage at the park bathrooms and kitchen (broken door locks, damaged window blocks and smashed fixtures) and said the added camera placements are intended to get closer coverage where the previous wide-angle cameras did not capture details. Councilmembers and residents discussed rental cleaning procedures for the community center and proposed a refundable cleaning deposit tied to photographic verification of post-event cleanup.

- Permits and land-use updates: Seth, city staff, reported issuance of a clearance to Chase Higgins for a backyard canopy and said a county conditional-use permit was issued for Casey Ainsworth (Barn Dominion) contingent on cost-sharing a privacy fence; both items were reported as building/permitting updates rather than direct city policy changes.

- Water-share dispute and local business licensing: Staff warned of ongoing litigation and title issues for water shares connected to the Mill Dam Road development (referred to as Utah Jack) and said the city will require complete sign-offs (health, fire, other inspections) before issuing business licenses rather than grant provisional approvals.

- Nuclear test facility presentations: Councilmember Kevin and staff attended a county town hall hosted by a company called Valor, which described planned small modular reactor testing at a nearby research center. Kevin said the council discussed citizen education and that the company presented safety information; council members expressed interest in helping public outreach but noted the project lies outside city jurisdiction.

What the council did not decide

Council members discussed several policy directions (for example, an accessory dwelling unit policy in development and more robust renter/cleaning deposit procedures) but did not adopt new rules on those topics at this meeting. The discussion about the Valor testing facility was informational; the council made no regulatory decision regarding the project because the site is not city property.

Ending

After the listed motions passed and routine business concluded, the council closed a previously convened closed session, returned to open session and adjourned.