The Limestone County Commission continued to hear from employees last week who felt the county’s inclement weather policy unfairly affects “essential employees.” 

After the ice storm closed the majority of county offices the week of January 15, employees who were required to continue working as usual began to notice discrepancies in how different groups of employees were paid under the current policy approved last year.

The policy allows for salaried employees to be paid for days missed due to inclement weather but does not offer any incentives — such as hazard pay or additional paid-time-off — to other employees who are considered essential. 

The county commission or the sheriff’s office can deem any employee as essential which typically include law enforcement, maintenance employees, sanitation workers, emergency management employees and corrections officers.

The commission addressed these concerns during two called meetings April 3 and 4 but several employees continued pressing commissioners to revise the policy last week, April 15.  Correctional officer Jeff Sides said he has been with the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office for more than 10 years and has always been proud of his profession when discussing it with others in the community but recent events has made him felt taken advantage of.

“The way this policy went was a slap in everybody’s face and makes us feel like y’all don’t have our best interest at heart,” Sides said.

LCSO Sgt. Mark Heard requested the commission retroactively pay employees who worked through January’s inclement weather but ultimately said he would like to the policy revised.

“It’s not about the pay. It’s actually about the policy and the biggest thing is that we would like to see the policy changed,” Heard said. “I’m asking that y’all change the policy to make it fair for everybody and to do it sooner rather than later.”

The commission did not take any action regarding the policy.

Employees with the commission told The News Courier on Friday, April 19, that no commissioners would be available for comment until after Tuesday.

In other business the commission:

– Approved Chairman Collin Daly to execute all documents necessary to obtain financing through Bryant Bank for the commercial loans totalling $1,821,024.88 to the Note and Security Agreement for five Kenworth sideloaders.

– Approved a contract with TARCOG maintain existing insurance and benefit couseling program known as the State Health Insurance Program.

– Approved an employee agreement with Daphne Ellison.

– Applied for a “LETS ALEA” grant to assist with training on sex crimes investigations through Southern Police Institute which would supply 75 percent of the cost of training for three officers. 

– Appointed Tracy Compton, Curtis Hollinsworth and John Morris to the Alabama Elk River Development Agency Board.

– Hired Christine Lewter as a building service worker.

– Hired Allison Appleton as a revenue clerk.

– Approved merit increases for the following employees:

• Preston McFarland – Facilities and grounds maintenance worker.
• Vicky Marbery – Building service worker.
• Tracy Wooldridge – Nutrition program supervisor.
• Leslie Williams – PT van driver.
• Jennifer Withers – Revenue clerk.
• Abbie Crutcher – Revenue clerk.
• Jessica Pierce – Deputy Revenue Commissioner.
• Brian Coleman – Bridge inspector trainee.
• Casey Burroughs – Communications officer. 
• Darron Lewter – Stripe crew equipment officer. 
• Stephanie Elkins – Governmental accountant. 
• Travis Austiell – D3 equipment operator.
• Hunter Gatlin – D3 equipment operator. 
• Adam Harper – D2 equipment operator. 

– Approved the 2024 paving schedule.

– Removed a Canon Image Runner 2535 from inventory of the Probate Department.