Proposed parental leave policy divides Washington County Quorum Court

FAYETTEVILLE -- A proposed parental leave for Washington County employees stalled Thursday but will have another reading next month. Some justices of the peace objected to the proposal.

"I believe this is a cost to the county that we cannot afford," said Justice of the Peace Sharon Lloyd. "I believe this is an entitlement."

Parental Leave Policy

Justices of the peace debated Thursday whether the county should provide parental leave for employees who have worked at least one year for the county. The proposal says, in part, the county “will provide up to eight weeks paid paternal leave to an eligible employee serving as a primary care giver following the birth or adoption of a child.”

Source: Washington County

Lloyd is a Republican representing northwestern Springdale.

Lloyd and several other justices of the peace voted against suspending the rules and reading the the third and final time an ordinance amending the employees handbook to include a parental leave policy. The measure failed to advance 7-6 with one abstention during the regular Quorum Court meeting Thursday.

The proposal would allow paid parental leave to eligible employees who are primary care givers following the birth or adoption of a child, according to the ordinance. Justice of the Peace Daniel Balls, a Democrat representing north-north central Fayetteville, originally sponsored the legislation as a way to give employees more benefits and recruit and keep talented employees.

If passed, the legislation would make the county a leader in the state, Balls said.

"This is a big deal, and we are going to be the first people to do this (benefit,)" he said.

Lloyd said her research hadn't shown any businesses giving employees this kind of parental leave. For the county, the measure effectively benefits about 3 percent of the roughly 570 employees, she said. Some justices of the peace own businesses and don't implement this kind of policy, yet support the policy change for the county, Lloyd said.

The county shouldn't take on the cost, she said.

Other justices of the peace said the legislation would help families and should be supported.

"To me, this is about ensuring that families and children have a good start in life," said Sue Madison, a Democrat representing south-southeastern Fayetteville.

The legislation will be debated again next month.

In other business, the Road Department plans to hire a right-of-way coordinator supervisor to document and establish right of way easements, among other duties, according to a justification letter by supervisor Charles Ward and an attached job description. The Quorum Court approved the new position.

The position also must work with information technology and geographic information system programs.

The new position's salary is $63,789 with benefits, but the department also asked to dissolve two positions -- both heavy equipment operators. That means the change will be less of a cost to the county, Road Department officials said.

Both of the dissolved positions paid at about $40,000 per year with benefits, according to records.

The Quorum Court also approved grant appropriations.

NW News on 10/21/2016

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