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County amends Policy 701 to narrow pre-employment drug-screening requirements
Summary
The Vernon County Board adopted Resolution 2024-44 to revise Policy 701; the update removes a universal pre-employment drug screen requirement for some new hires while retaining DOT testing and reasonable-suspicion provisions.
The Vernon County Board on Sept. 19 approved Resolution 2024-44 to revise Policy No. 701, the county’s Drug-Free Workplace policy. Supervisor Taylor moved the resolution, Supervisor Lawler seconded it, and Chair Lorn Goede called the question; the measure was adopted by voice vote.
The adopted change "only applies to some new hires" and does not alter the county’s obligation to maintain a drug-free workplace or the Department of Transportation (DOT) random drug testing requirements, according to the minutes. The text of Policy 701 clarifies covered workers, safety rules, search and testing provisions, reasonable-suspicion procedures, random testing for CDL holders, and post-rehabilitation testing.
Policy 701’s pre-employment testing section remains in force for the Sheriff’s Office, Highway Department, Vernon Manor and Vernon Acres (an offer of employment for positions in those areas remains contingent on passing a drug/alcohol screen). The minutes state that "all other county departments are not required to pass a drug/alcohol screen prior to employment."
The resolution was introduced during the resolutions segment; the minutes do not record any roll-call tally beyond a voice vote in which the measure carried. The policy text included examples of reasonable-cause indicators (direct observation, pattern of abnormal conduct, arrest/conviction, credible sources, tampering) and details on disciplinary consequences for positive results.
The change takes effect immediately as of Sept. 19, 2024, per the resolution language.
