Post Falls restores compassionate separation policy after council debate on eligibility period

The council voted to restore the compassionate separation policy originally adopted in 2022 and inadvertently omitted from the personnel code revision. HR Director Janet Best described the policy: eligible regular full‑time employees with at least 12 months of service who have a certified terminal medical condition may be separated with a one‑time payment (placed into the employee's VEBA) to help cover future eligible medical expenses. Staff proposed $11,000 as the working figure, up from the original $10,000 in the 2022 language, with future adjustments requiring council review during budget adoption.

Councilors debated eligibility conditions and fiscal prudence. One motion sought to make the benefit effective at hire (vest on employment) to maximize compassion for all employees; that amendment failed on a close vote after members raised concerns about potential abuse and the appropriate probationary period. Several councilors favored the 12‑month tie to FMLA and probation thresholds, while others suggested three years would be a reasonable compromise; the council ultimately approved the policy as written (12‑month eligibility) and confirmed any future increases would come through the budget process.

Council discussion noted the policy had been used twice since 2022, which staff said made approval easier. The council voted to adopt the policy as presented and directed staff to include it in the personnel policy with the eligibility criteria and the VEBA deposit mechanism.