Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Newton County adopts resolutions to join opioid settlement and allow rehiring of retirees; benefit-treatment rules set for reemployed retirees
Loading...
Summary
The board unanimously adopted a resolution expressing the county's desire to participate in the national opioid litigation settlement and approved two related resolutions allowing reemployment of retirees into hard-to-fill positions and defining whether retirement payments may be suspended or continued during reemployment.
County Attorney Stephanie Johnson told commissioners on April 21 that the county should adopt a resolution expressing its desire to participate in the national opioid multidistrict litigation settlement.
"Participation in the settlement is the only way to get funds under Georgia law," Johnson said, adding that the specific amount the county would receive under the proposed settlement is unknown at this time. The board voted unanimously to adopt the participation resolution.
Acting County Manager James Brown then presented two personnel-related resolutions. The first (R042126B) gives constitutional officers, elected officials and department heads the ability to rehire retirees into hard-to-replace positions for a limited duration. Commissioners discussed that rehired retirees could receive both a retirement check and a salary check unless they elect to postpone retirement payments. Brown said the rehired employees have the option to postpone retirement checks but may also receive both payments if they do not.
A companion resolution (R042126C) clarifies the treatment of defined benefits for retirees rehired by the county, allowing retirees to either continue retirement payments or suspend them during the reemployment period. The board moved, seconded and approved both resolutions unanimously.
Next steps: the county will participate in the settlement process as appropriate and will implement the rehiring policy and benefit-treatment procedures as adopted.
