Some Saluda employees have asked to be paid for vacation in lieu of taking time off, which has spurred city commissioners to consider changes to its personnel policy.
The Saluda Board of Commissioners heard Monday from Mayor Fred Baisden, who sought input on paying out for vacation time. Baisden said five employees have been paid for vacation recently, which has cost the city $4,400 so far of unbudgeted funding.
“The way the budget is going down, we’re going to have to raise taxes,” said commissioner Johnnie Kinard. “Either that or cut services; it’s real simple.”
Commissioner John Morgan said other places allow employees to be paid for one week if they choose, but they have to take one week off.
“Vacation is for recharging your batteries,” said Morgan.
The city’s policy does not currently exclude employees from being paid for vacation time if they choose not to take time off. Baisden said the city plans its budgets expecting employees to be paid for 52 weeks, and some are being paid for a few weeks more by taking the pay and working.
Commissioners said there are other issues the city needs to look at and the board will likely consider changes to the employee policy sometime next year.