Committee adopts FTA-aligned drug and alcohol policy for safety-sensitive employees

The Dunn County Committee on Administration voted May 27 to adopt an amended drug and alcohol policy that applies only to employees who meet the Federal Transit Administration's definition of safety‑sensitive. Jenna, who presented the changes, said the draft incorporated department head suggestions and FTA feedback received after the committee’s prior meeting.

Jenna said the draft replaced the term "substance abuse" with the more current "substance use" where possible but retained the regulated phrase "substance abuse professional" where the federal definition requires it. She also told the committee that corporation counsel suggested adding a definition for "illegal drugs." She said an FTA reviewer required that any language left to county discretion be underlined in the policy; Jenna underlined those provisions and removed certain procedural text to a separate procedure document per the FTA recommendation.

Committee member [Committee member] moved to approve the amended policy, a motion the committee seconded, and members present voted to adopt it. After the vote, Chair said the policy had passed. The action updates Dunn County policy to align with federal requirements for safety‑sensitive positions and clarifies terminology and procedural placement of discretionary language.

The committee did not record any conditions or amendments to the adoption on the transcript; staff said the policy had been circulated to department heads on April 30 and incorporated a small set of suggestions returned before the meeting. The county will rely on the underlined discretionary provisions when implementing local procedures and will follow the separate procedure document for applicant testing and notification going forward.

Next steps: staff will finalize the redlined and clean copies and the separate procedure document referenced during the meeting.