Hardin County commissioners on Oct. 28 amended the county's longevity pay policy to simplify administration and move the payment to a single lump sum distributed on a special payroll date.

Human Resources Director Melinda Harrington told the court she proposed removing the phrase "must be in paid status for the entire pay period," which had complicated payroll processing when employees changed paid/unpaid status. She also proposed paying longevity in one lump sum and adding a requirement that employees be actively employed at the time the lump‑sum check is issued.

Harrington said staff, the treasurer and the auditor recommended the county distribute the lump‑sum longevity payment on Nov. 19, 2025. Commissioner Kirkendall moved to amend the policy as presented and to add the active‑employment wording; Commissioner Young seconded the motion. The court approved the amendment by voice vote.

Court discussion clarified the lump sum covers longevity earned for the previous fiscal year, less any longevity amounts already paid in the fiscal year. Staff said the Nov. 19 payment would be a "special payroll" comprised solely of the longevity payment and that longevity would not continue to be paid on regular paychecks after the policy change until the next annual decision.

A resident asked why an employee who had earned longevity but then left employment would not be paid; staff replied the policy change requires active employment on the payment date to receive the lump sum because it is administratively difficult to issue a payroll check to a person not on the payroll.