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Employees raise FMLA and maternity-leave questions; supervisors request clarifications
Summary
Employees addressed the board about FMLA and maternity-leave provisions in the county Employee Handbook; supervisors asked staff to provide clarifications and resources and accepted a one-time exception for a Conservation fund-balance error tied to a budgeting mistake.
Three employees — Stephen and Lindsay Bardole and Jody Hepler — addressed the Franklin County Board of Supervisors on May 26 about perceived gaps in the Employee Handbook related to family-and-medical leave and maternity leave. They said the issue remained unresolved and asked the board to clarify whether remote training affects FMLA eligibility, what the handbook means by 'leave structure,' and how FMLA interacts with available paid leave versus unpaid leave.
Supervisors heard the concerns and requested that staff provide clarifications so the questions can be resolved. The board did not take formal action on policy changes at the meeting; it requested follow-up information.
Separately, Conservation Director Ned Parker and the Auditor explained that a budgeting error will leave the Conservation Department with a lower ending fund balance than the county's policy (General Policies & Procedures Manual Section 2.1) requires. Supervisors agreed to a one-time exception because the shortfall resulted from a budgeting error rather than department overspending.
Facilities Director Ryan Peterson also briefed the board about needed repairs to a county building that houses the food pantry, noting some work is to repair hail and windstorm damage from April 2025 while other repairs stem from the facility's age. He was asked to provide rough estimates within one to two weeks for further action.
The board recessed for a drainage meeting during the session and later reconvened; drainage minutes are available from the Auditor's office.
