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Traverse County approves transfer of social services staff to Western Prairie with protections
Summary
The Board adopted Resolution 25‑18 and Resolution 25‑19 to transfer social services employees to Western Prairie Human Services effective Jan. 1, 2026, while preserving return rights, grandfathering certain sick‑leave and retiree benefits, and providing reimbursement provisions; both measures passed 4–0.
Traverse County’s Board of Commissioners approved two resolutions to transfer Traverse County social services employees to Western Prairie Human Services and to preserve certain benefits and return rights for affected employees. Resolution No. 25‑18 authorizes a transfer of employment and allows an affected employee (Crystal Fridgen) to COBRA county health insurance for December 2025 with the County covering the employer portion for that month; the transfer is effective November 2025 and addendums would carry over effective January 1, 2026 subject to agreement by the parties.
Resolution No. 25‑19 establishes the contract with Western Prairie Human Services effective January 1, 2026, and lays out protections: (1) return rights if Western Prairie dissolves (employees may return to Traverse County with full seniority if county social services is reestablished); (2) sick‑leave severance grandfathering for employees with 10+ and 20+ years of service with specified payout formulas (up to 800 hours paid at stated fractions); (3) continuation of post‑retirement insurance participation with county reimbursement for the employer share; and (4) reimbursement arrangements for extended service pay. The resolutions were approved unanimously (motions by Metz and seconded by Nelson).
