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Rathdrum council adopts 2025–26 personnel policy with limited holiday, appendix changes
Summary
The Rathdrum City Council approved the 2025–26 personnel policy after staff answered questions about PTO cash-out options, appointed-official removal procedures, and reasonable accommodation language. Council added a holiday exception (half of scheduled shift) and directed further benefits-committee work on Veeva contributions.
Rathdrum — The City Council on Oct. 14 approved its 2025–26 personnel policy after a staff presentation and member questions about benefits, appointed-official rules and holiday pay.
City Administrator Leon told the council the annual update incorporates many employee requests and statutory requirements. Key changes include clarified language about probationary (introductory) periods, broadened investigation procedures to reference other adopted city or department policies, new appointed-official provisions distinguishing appointed officers from regular employees, and added ADA reasonable-accommodation language. Leon also described a proposed change allowing employees to cash out up to 100 additional hours into a tax-advantaged “Veeva” medical account on separation from employment, subject to legal review.
Council discussion focused on three practical items. Members asked whether the existing 240-hour cash-out could be deposited directly into employees’ Veeva accounts; Leon said he would check applicable caps and legal limits and review the logistics. The council also debated whether the city should routinely allow a half-day off the day before major holidays; the approved motion adds an exception that staff will record as “half of the employee’s regularly scheduled shift” for those declared half-day holidays. Finally, the council discussed removal and appeal procedures for appointed officials and directed staff to refine Appendix G language to confirm consultation with the city attorney or the city’s current insurance provider when appropriate.
A councilmember identified in the record as John moved to adopt the policy with three exceptions (the holiday language in Section C.2; rejection of a specific change labeled '4' for this year; and a revision to Appendix G Section 6 to add consultation language for the city attorney or insurance provider). The motion was seconded and passed on a recorded vote.
Why it matters: The personnel policy governs hiring, discipline, paid time off and other workplace rules for city employees. Several changes reflect employee-submitted clarifications; others respond to statutory obligations and administrative needs, such as ADA reasonable-accommodation procedures and clearer guidance on appointed officials.
What’s next: Leon said he will research legal caps for Veeva contributions and bring any required clarifications or a benefits-committee recommendation back to council. The policy took effect on adoption, except for provisions staff identified as requiring further legal or budgetary review.
Quote: “When we pass this personnel policy every single year, we go through the year and as things come up … we evaluate that,” Leon said during his presentation, describing the update as a “living document.”
Vote: The motion to adopt the policy with exceptions passed; the clerk recorded the vote and the ordinance/procedure was adopted as presented.
