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Weston finance committee backs hybrid clothing allowance, preserves Cintas option
Summary
After lengthy debate over service issues and hidden charges tied to the Cintas rental program, the Finance and Human Resources Committee voted to rescind a prior recommendation and adopt a hybrid clothing allowance that lets employees choose a cash option or keep the Cintas rental benefit with a shorter contract review.
The Village of Weston Finance and Human Resources Committee voted June 15 to rescind its earlier recommendation on the employee uniform program and adopt a hybrid approach that preserves the option to stay with Cintas while offering a cash alternative.
The amended proposal, moved by committee member Barb and approved by voice vote, directs staff to recommend to the village board a plan under which employees may either remain on the Cintas rental service under current terms or opt for a cash allowance (the working figure discussed by the committee was $500 annually in lieu of rental; staff would retain a Cintas option with an additional $300 offset for employees who keep that service). The committee also asked staff to pursue a shorter-term contract or a month-to-month arrangement with Cintas for an interim period.
Jessica, deputy finance director, outlined practical concerns the committee had raised in prior meetings and summarized staff feedback: "We do have some employees who just don't utilize [the Cintas service] because the clothes don't fit, so they end up at maybe $50 a year in benefit while others receive much more," she said, noting variability in how employees use the rental program.
Michael, a staff member who helped lead the Cintas review, described repeated billing disputes and extra fees that drove the reconsideration. "All a sudden we're getting charges on our bills that we don't believe are necessary," he said, and added staff had asked the company to improve communications and delivery checks. He argued the hybrid model preserves morale and operational flexibility: "I'd rather them be upset about the resident who flipped them off while they were repairing a pothole than the village board took away their benefit," he said.
Committee members pressed on logistics such as whether coveralls for mechanics would be covered, how embroidery or logo costs would be handled, and whether employees could change their selection midyear. The committee decided employees would pick once annually (with an effective date tied to the calendar year) and that coveralls or job-specific garments could be addressed within the cash-option framework.
Barb moved the amendment to rescind the prior motion (which had recommended contract termination and a $400 cash subsidy plus purchase of a washer/dryer); the amendment passed by voice vote. The committee then approved the amended main motion to forward the hybrid recommendation to the village board.
Next steps: staff will document the hybrid option and present the formal recommendation and contract-term language to the village board for final action.
