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City leaders discuss policies By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer The
Holly Springs mayor and board of aldermen reviewed some employee
management concerns mentioned in a recent audit - with six of the
issues brought by the mayor for discussion. The
probationary period for a new employee was discussed, including when
benefits begin. Yakisha Thompson, deputy city clerk, said the
probationary period had been 90 days but recommended that employee
benefits, such as insurance, kick in at the first of the month after 30
days on the job. Annual leave, sick leave and
comp time policies were reviewed. Thompson recommended that accrued
comp time over 30 days not be carried over to the fiscal year. Comp
time is not kept on the books and unlike unused vacation time and sick
leave, it cannot be applied toward retirement. The
utility department only allows 40 hours of comp time to be carried
month-to-month. Anything over that is dropped from the books. Some
department employees can accumulate a lot of comp time with a single
incident such as a windstorm that takes down utility lines and trees,
according to fire chief Kenny Holbrook. Comp time only applies to the city’s department heads, Thompson said. Hourly employees are paid overtime. One
section deals with employees accepting gifts from vendors - disallowed
because something in return may be expected of the employee by the
vendor. Supervisors are not to loan money to employees to avoid
possibilities that the supervisor would recriminate if the loan was not
paid back. The procedures for employees to follow
in expressing a grievance or for due process are also to be spelled
out. Some language concerned outside employment and requirements to get
approval from a department head. There is no drug
testing policy except where gas workers are concerned - as authorized
by the Department of Transportation. Health insurance covers employees
who may have problems with alcohol and need treatment. Next
up for discussion was the October 30 Harvest Festival being organized
by the Holly Springs Main Street Association. The board authorized the
closing of streets near the courthouse for the event which will run
from 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Arts and crafts booths,
contest booths and game booths will be available. Churches and other
organizations will be encouraged to participate. Organizers hope to get
the high schools and their bands to participate in some manner. “It
will be a community involvement event and we are asking for all to
participate,” said promotions committee member Charles Terry. The board introduced Michael Crittle as the new public works director. Chief Robert Pearson presented the resignations of three Holly Springs police officers.
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