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Handbook committee reviews PTO, overtime costs and courthouse hours; adds staff member
Summary
The Switzerland County Handbook Committee discussed separating PTO into distinct sick and personal leave, questioned overtime costs exceeding $340,000 last year, weighed returning to comp time, debated 37.5-hour workweeks and approved adding a county employee and Jenny Owens to the committee.
Ryan Harrison, chair of the Switzerland County Handbook Committee, called the Jan. 14 meeting to order and led the pledge of allegiance before the committee reviewed proposed changes to the county employee handbook.
Harrison said the county’s current paid-time-off structure leaves new hires with no accrued leave for their first 90 days and described the policy as a "factory-style" PTO bank that may not meet employees’ needs. He proposed separating leave into distinct personal and sick categories so employees have more flexibility for short-term needs.
Committee member Patti Kappes cited the local school system’s approach to employee leave as an example the county could consider. Committee member Carrie Barwick raised concerns that employees sometimes need leave to care for sick family members and may lack any available time under the current policy.
Members also discussed overtime and comp time. The committee noted that the county’s overtime costs exceeded $340,000 last year and debated returning to a comp time system; committee members raised that comp time, when paid, must be compensated at a time-and-a-half rate, which can create fiscal complications. Kappes referenced the "One Big Beautiful Act" during that discussion.
The group considered how holiday and overtime pay rules can result in double or triple pay rates in some circumstances, and the committee discussed operational changes including shifting to a 37.5-hour workweek, potential salary adjustments tied to scheduling changes, staggered lunches and keeping offices open during lunch periods.
The committee set its next meeting for Feb. 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
On procedural motions, Ryan Harrison moved to add another county employee; Patti Kappes seconded and the motion passed with all in favor. Harrison then moved to add Jenny Owens to the Handbook Committee; Patti Kappes seconded and that motion also passed with all in favor. With no further business, Harrison moved to adjourn, Carrie Barwick seconded, and the meeting adjourned at about 5:33 p.m.
No ordinances, resolutions or formal policy adoptions were finalized at the meeting; discussion centered on possible handbook revisions and operational options to present at future meetings.
