Commission approves 25% sick‑leave payout with 10‑year eligibility; treasurer to quantify budget impact

Bourbon County commissioners voted Jan. 15 to adopt a sick‑leave payout policy that pays 25% of accrued sick time once an employee has reached 10 years of service. The motion — debated at length, with commissioners weighing fairness to long‑tenured employees against the county’s budget exposure — carried by voice vote after the board rejected an immediate cap on payouts for existing accruals.

Commissioners heard department heads cite examples of very large sick‑leave banks. One department head noted, “1 guy's got 13 82 hours,” and urged grandfathering for long‑serving employees. Commissioners agreed to grandfather existing accruals and to permit payouts for employees who meet the 10‑year threshold rather than immediately impose a cap that would reduce existing liabilities.

Chair Samuel Tran asked the treasurer and HR to quantify the county’s liability and report back so the expense can be reflected in the 2026 budget and audit planning. Commissioners noted the motion creates a recurring long‑term liability and said the audit and budget teams must incorporate parameters for payout timing and maximums for future hires.

What happens next: Treasurer and HR will calculate expected near‑term and long‑term payout exposure and present figures to the commission for budgetary adjustments; the handbook language will be finalized after counsel review.