Caledonia Argus

Board agrees to pay sheriff for unused sick time

Posted: 11/26/02

by Jane Palen
Managing Editor

The Houston County Board has rescinded the 10-year leave that was approved for Mike Lee in 1995, allowing the recently elected sheriff to collect unused sick days that were accumulated during his years as a deputy.

In a letter to the board, Lee explained that at the time he was elected sheriff, he had 594 hours of sick time built up. At that time, he requested a 10-year leave and asked that the sick time be banked in the event that he would at some point not be reelected and would want to return to work as a deputy. With his latest election to a four year term, Leeís 10-year leave will be over before the end of the term.

According to personnel director Tim Comstock, when an employee becomes an elected official, it is standard procedure to pay for the sick time they accumulated, unless they have a leave in effect.

Lee will be paid 45 percent of the sick time, 267 hours, at his previous hourly rate of $16.91 per hour. The amount is subject to the usual withholding.

Hiawatha Valley Ed District

makes presentation

In the human services meeting, the commissioners heard a presentation from Gary Woodward of the Hiawatha Valley Special Education District. Currently,
the county allocates $15,000 per year to support the programs of the agency. There had been some discussions on ending the funding for the special ed district due to budget constraints.

The district has been in existence since 1997 with its main focus being the early intervention with at-risk youth. The ed district works in cooperation with the local school district at identifying who is at risk, and places family support workers in all county schools.

The program was written originally by former Houston County Human Services director Tom Hustvet. It does not receive state funds, but is funded through the county and the Houston County Collaborative.

Woodward explained that the program in many cases addresses the needs of the students it serves before the county has to become involved. By addressing problems early, the county can avoid more expensive options such as out of home placements, he said.

The board agreed to consider a continuation of the funding.

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