County staff presented amendments to the secondary roads memorandum of understanding at the Nov. 12 meeting to address compensatory time, accrual language and CDL-related discipline. The principal change described was removing a strict 30-day limitation on when comp time must be used and allowing employees to carry up to 40 hours of compensatory time at any given time, with time-and-a-half paid on any overtime when comp-time is not elected or when an employee hits the cap.

Staff said the change is intended to give operational flexibility for road crews that earn comp time in concentrated months (snow season) while limiting the county’s liability by capping carryover at 40 hours and tightening abuse/discipline language. Board members pressed staff on consequences if many employees tried to use comp time at the same time — for example immediately following major snow events — which could leave the county short-staffed for operations tied to safety and elections. Staff explained that actual cash exposure occurs only when compensatory time is cashed out (typically on separation) and that ISG and HR would return with suggested language and clarifications.

A motion to consider the MOU updates and to have staff draft final text passed; board members asked that the draft return with practical examples, any budget impacts, and clear accrual timing so the board can approve a finalized MOU in a future meeting.