City plans to enroll in Minnesota paid family and medical leave program; employer to cover proposed 50% contribution

City administration told the East Grand Forks City Council on Dec. 9 that it intends to enroll in Minnesota's paid family and medical leave program when the state program takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, and recommended the city follow a common practice of splitting employee contributions 50/50.

"The Minnesota paid family and medical leave law goes into effect 01/01/2026," a staff presenter said, and the city has communicated to employees that the program will require employee contributions. The presenter said the city proposed that "the employer will pay for 50% of the contribution and the employee will pay for 50%" and noted, "The statutory requirement is that the employer pay for 50%. It can pay for more, but not for less."

Staff said the city will act as a facilitator for applications but that eligibility rules, contribution levels and benefit calculations are determined by the state program. The presenter reiterated that eligibility is based on all wages earned in Minnesota and referenced a $3,900 annual-earnings threshold for state eligibility; staff also recalled a roughly 90-day employer-tenure requirement but treated that as staff memory to be verified in the written policy.

The proposed personnel policy would allow employees to "top off" state-paid leave with accrued city leave (vacation or sick) so workers can replace the portion of pay the state does not cover, the presenter said, and staff asked the council to approve the policy at next week’s regular meeting.

No formal action adopting the policy occurred at the work session; staff will bring the formal policy for council approval at the next meeting.