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Pipestone County briefs commissioners on open enrollment and Minnesota paid‑leave implementation
Summary
Human Resources reported active open enrollment through Nov. 2, recapped the RISE Fest employee wellness event and presented actions to align FMLA and the Minnesota paid‑leave benefit year beginning Jan. 1, 2026; staff noted payroll and reporting questions and upcoming union negotiation meetings.
Pipestone County's human resources staff briefed the board on several personnel matters, including the active open‑enrollment period, the county's inaugural RISE Fest wellness event, launch of an employee recognition program, and preparations for Minnesota's paid‑leave program.
HR reported open enrollment is active through Nov. 2 and that staff held informational sessions with benefit vendors (Prime Health, Integrity Benefits) with roughly 44 employees attending. The county plans to launch a "Colleague Kudos" recognition program in November to formalize peer recognition.
On Minnesota paid leave (state program effective Jan. 1, 2026), HR said the county will send required employee notices and intends to align the county's FMLA plan year to the paid‑leave benefit year to simplify administration and allow the two programs to run concurrently where appropriate. Staff noted payroll questions remain (how to report employer Social Security/Medicare taxes on paid‑leave benefits and whether software vendors can handle certain reporting scenarios) and that they will query payroll/HRIS vendors as part of an RFP evaluation. HR also noted scheduled negotiations with county bargaining units in November.
HR clarified the program's treatment of elected officials: elected officials are required to pay premiums but are not eligible to receive benefits, and HR is awaiting final guidance on certain eligibility questions.
