Council OKs one-time facility-fee waiver for employees with 25+ years of service

The Leon Valley City Council approved a policy granting a one-time facility-fee waiver for city employees who have served 25 or more years, allowing use of the Irene Baldridge community or conference center for personal or family events without paying the facility fee.

City Manager Doctor Caldera framed the item as a modest employee benefit intended to allow long-term staff a way to host retirements or family events. Staff said the waiver would cover the rental fee but that cleaning, security and refundable deposit requirements would still apply in general; council reached consensus that employee‑recognition ceremonies such as retirements and swearing-in events should be exempt from fees and that cleaning fees could be waived for staff-supported retirements where staff volunteers perform cleanup duties.

Councilors characterized the policy as a modest but meaningful benefit for long-term employees. Councilor Campos said he supported the policy noting it was appropriate to make the city facility available to employees who had served a quarter century. Councilor Marsh framed it as a basic benefit and suggested the policy not count official city employee recognition events against the one-time waiver.

The motion to adopt the policy as presented, with the stated exceptions for employee-recognition events, carried on a voice vote. Staff will document the policy and the administrative implementation steps for reservation, deposits and exemptions.