Chapter 2.44 PERSONNEL SYSTEM

The salary range shall be divided into six steps, with five percent increase between steps. Upon successful completion of the probationary period and one year continuous service, an employee shall be eligible to progress from one pay step to the next higher pay step, provided performance has been evaluated as at least satisfactory. Effective the first day of the first pay period in December 1993 and every year thereafter, an employee on staff at that time shall be eligible to progress from one pay step to the next higher pay step, provided performance has been satisfactory during the evaluation period, and subject to the availability of funds.

§ 2.44.058 Within-range salary adjustments – City manager position exempt.

Policy Implementation. The city manager is authorized and directed to adopt administrative policies and procedures to implement the within-range salary adjustment system provided herein. Employees hired or promoted after January 1, 1994, will advance on their annual hire or promotion date. Salary ranges will move annually, based upon the cost-of-living adjustment authorized by the city council.

(Ord. 1042 § 2, 1993; Ord. 1155 § 1, 1997)

The city manager position is exempt from the within-range salary adjustments section of this chapter and any salary adjustments therein shall be conducted pursuant to employment agreement between the city manager and the city council.

(Ord. 1049 § 2, 1993)

§ 2.44.070 Monthly pay.

From and after January 1, 2025, the monthly rate of pay for the following positions is fixed at not to exceed the following sums:

Municipal Court Judge	$4,039 per month
Municipal Court Judge With Contract	$5,772 per month
Civil Service Chief Examiner	$276 per month

(Ord. 995 § 7, 1991; Ord. 1085 § 1, 1994; Ord. 1155 § 2, 1997; Ord. 1252 § 1, 2000; Ord. 1327 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1342 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1355 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1383 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1428 § 1, 2006; Ord. 1443 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1458 § 1, 2008; Ord. 1541 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1553 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1565 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1585 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1601 § 1, 2017; Ord. 1625 § 1, 2018; Ord. 1642 § 1, 2019; Ord. 1661 § 1, 2020; Ord. 1677 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1687 § 1, 2022; Ord. 1695 § 1, 2022; Ord. 1713 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1729 § 1, 2024)

§ 2.44.080 Volunteer firefighter and officer reimbursement.

Repealed by Ord. 1155.

(Ord. 995 § 8, 1991; Ord. 1085 § 2, 1994; Ord. 1100 § 1, 1995)

§ 2.44.090 Casual and seasonal employees.

From and after January 1, 2025, the hourly rate of pay for casual or seasonal employees, unless otherwise provided, shall range between the state of Washington's minimum wage of $16.66 and $35.00 per hour, depending on the requirements of the position and the qualifications of the individual, as determined by the city manager.

No employee shall be paid an hourly rate that exceeds the maximum provided hereunder.

	Years of Employment
Position	1st Year	2nd Year	3rd Year	4th Year
Maintenance Worker	$17.25	$17.50	$17.75	$18.00
Pool Cashier	$17.25	$17.50	$17.75	$18.00
Lifeguard	$17.85	$18.10	$18.35	$18.60
Swim Instructor	$17.85	$18.10	$18.35	$18.60
Recreation Leader	$17.85	$18.10	$18.35	$18.60
Swim Coach	$18.70	$18.95	$19.20	$19.45
Head Lifeguard	$19.25	$19.50	$19.75	$20.00
Senior Bus Driver	$21.65	$21.90	$22.15	$22.40
Pool Manager	$25.15	$25.40	$25.65	$25.90
Court Bailiff	$35.00	$35.00	$35.00	$35.00

(Ord. 995 § 9, 1991; Ord. 1025 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1049 § 4, 1993; Ord. 1155 § 3, 1997; Ord. 1212 § 2, 1998; Ord. 1237 § 1, 2000; Ord. 1264 § 2, 2000; Ord. 1294 § 2, 2001; Ord. 1302 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1317 § 2, 2002; Ord. 1336 § 2, 2003; Ord. 1353 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1362 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1368 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1385 § 2, 2005; Ord. 1429 § 2, 2006; Ord. 1444 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1451 § 2, 2008; Ord. 1457 § 2, 2008; Ord. 1503 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1517 § 2, 2011; Ord. 1529 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1540 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1552 § 2, 2014; Ord. 1564 § 2, 2015; Ord. 1567 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1583 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1600 § 2, 2017; Ord. 1624 § 2, 2018; Ord. 1645 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1660 § 2, 2020; Ord. 1676 § 2, 2021; Ord. 1694 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1712 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1731 § 2, 2024)

§ 2.44.095 Other hourly rates of pay.

From and after January 1, 2025, the hourly rate of pay for the following position is fixed at not to exceed the following sum:

Municipal Court Judge Pro Tempore

$75.00 per hour (2-hour minimum)

(Ord. 1061 § 1, 1994; Ord. 1232 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1729 § 2, 2024)

§ 2.44.100 Overtime pay.

Any employee, except those in positions which are exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, required to work in excess of 40 hours in a work week shall be paid the rate of one and one-half times the regular rate of pay for each such excess hour computed to the nearest quarter hour.

(Ord. 995 § 10, 1991; Ord. 1005 § 2, 1992; Ord. 1155 § 4, 1997; Ord. 1241 § 1, 2000)

§ 2.44.110 Medical benefits.

The city shall pay the full or a portion of the cost of premiums for medical insurance coverage for all regular full-time city employees and their dependents. Dependents are defined by the medical plans. The city shall pay the full cost of premiums for dental insurance with orthodontia option, for all regular full-time employees and their dependents. Dependents are defined by the dental plan. The city may pay the full or pro rata cost of premiums for medical insurance for all regular part-time employees of the city.

(Ord. 995 § 11, 1991; Ord. 1389 § 22, 2005)

§ 2.44.120 Vision benefits.

The city shall pay the full or a portion of the cost of premiums for vision insurance coverage for all regular full-time city employees and their dependents. Dependents are defined by the medical plans. The city may pay the full or pro rata cost of premiums for vision insurance for all regular part-time employees of the city.

(Ord. 995 § 12, 1991; Ord. 1581 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1636 § 4, 2019)

§ 2.44.130 Life insurance.

The city shall pay the full cost of premiums to provide a term life insurance policy for its regular full-time employees. Said policy amount shall be at the sum of one times the annual salary plus the dollar value of the accrued sick leave as of January 1st each year, rounded to the nearest $1,000 (to the maximum available through the city's insurance). The city may provide the term insurance policy through any insurance company approved by the Washington State Insurance Commissioner.

(Ord. 995 § 13, 1991; Ord. 1155 § 5, 1997; Ord. 1241 § 2, 2000; Ord. 1636 § 1, 2019)

§ 2.44.140 Employee assistance program.

As provided for in the annual budget, the city may pay all or part of the cost of regular full-time employees' and regular part-time employees' participation in an employee assistance program.

(Ord. 995 § 14, 1991; Ord. 1155 § 6, 1997)

§ 2.44.145 Long term care insurance.

The city shall pay the premium cost to provide a long term care insurance policy for eligible active and retired LEOFF I employees. The city may provide the long term care insurance policy through any insurance company approved by the Washington State Insurance Commissioner.

(Ord. 1155 § 11, 1997)

§ 2.44.150 Holidays.

The following are recognized as paid holidays:

New Year's Day – January 1st

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday – 3rd Monday in January

Presidents' Day – 3rd Monday in February

Memorial Day – Last Monday in May

Juneteenth – June 19th

Independence Day – July 4th

Labor Day – 1st Monday in September

Veterans Day – November 11th

Thanksgiving Day – 4th Thursday in November

Friday following Thanksgiving

Christmas Day – December 25th

Any holiday falling on Saturday will be celebrated on the preceding Friday. Any holiday falling on Sunday will be celebrated on the following Monday. The employee must be on paid status the day prior and day after a holiday to qualify for holiday payment.

Floating Holiday. In addition to the above holidays, each regular full-time employee shall be granted eight hours' floating holiday time each calendar year; provided, the employee has worked or is scheduled to work four consecutive months in the calendar year. Accumulated holiday time shall be taken in the year it is accrued, or lost.

Date Holiday Observed. Any holiday falling on a Saturday will be celebrated the preceding Friday. Any holiday falling on a Sunday will be celebrated the following Monday.

Condition of Payment. As a condition to payment for the holidays, an employee must be in a paid status the scheduled workday immediately preceding a holiday and the scheduled workday immediately following the holiday, unless excused by the city manager.

(e)

Regular Part-Time Employees. A regular part-time employee is not entitled to compensation for a holiday unless the day it is observed falls on the employee's regularly scheduled workday. Regular part-time employees will be paid on a pro rata basis based on the established number of hours in their work week.

(f)

Holiday Work. Nonexempt regular full-time or part-time employees will be paid for the holiday plus two times their regular rate of pay for any time worked on the holiday. Such time must be preauthorized by the city manager and/or his/her designee.

(g)

Religious Holidays. If an employee's religious beliefs require observance of a holiday not included in the basic holiday schedule, the employee may, with the city manager and/or his/her designee's approval, take the day off using vacation, floating holiday, or leave without pay.

(Ord. 995 § 15, 1991; Ord. 1155 § 7, 1997; Ord. 1241 § 3, 2000; Ord. 1636 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1684 § 1, 2022)

§ 2.44.160 Vacation leave.

Each regular full-time employee is entitled to vacation leave as follows:

Years of Employment	Vacation Hours Earned
1 – 2 years	88 hours
3 years	96 hours
4 years	104 hours
5 years	112 hours
6 years	120 hours
7 years	128 hours
8 years	136 hours
9 years	144 hours
10 years	152 hours
11 – 14 years	160 hours
15 – 19 years	176 hours
20 years or over	184 hours

Accrual and Use. Vacation time accrues from the date of hire and may be taken as it is accrued after successful completion of the working test period. An employee who separates from city service prior to successful completion of the working test period shall not be entitled to receive annual leave or pay for any vacation hours accrued.

Scheduling. Department heads are responsible for scheduling employee's vacation without undue disruption of department operations. As a general guideline, leave requests for one week or more in duration should be submitted at least 30 days in advance.

Maximum Accrual. The maximum number of vacation hours which may be accrued is 240 hours. Vacation time in excess of 240 hours shall be used or forfeited.

(e)

FLSA Exempt Employees. FLSA exempt employees will receive an additional 40 hours annual vacation.

(f)

Employment Termination. Employees will be paid for unused vacation time upon termination of employment.

(g)

Vacation Time Sell-Back. Within the limits of available resources, once annually during the last quarter of the year, an employee may request to sell back unused vacation time, provided the accrued vacation leave is not reduced to less than 80 hours. The city reserves the right to limit an employee's request if the department's budgeted appropriations, in the city manager's opinion, appear insufficient to pay the amount requested.

(h)

Regular Part-Time Employees. Regular part-time employees will receive vacation on a pro rata basis based on the established number of hours in their regularly scheduled work week.

(i)

Casual, Seasonal, and Temporary Employees. Employees under these classifications are not eligible for any vacation benefits.

(j)

Leave without Pay. Employees do not accrue vacation benefits during a leave without pay.

(Ord. 995 § 16, 1991; Ord. 1155 § 8, 1997; Ord. 1251 § 1, 2000; Ord. 1636 § 5, 2019)

§ 2.44.170 Paid sick leave.

All regular full-time and regular part-time employees, whether paid on an hourly basis or by monthly salary, shall be entitled to sick leave as follows: all full‐time regular employees accrue paid sick leave benefits at the rate of eight hours for each calendar month of continuous employment; regular part‐time, casual and seasonal employees accrue sick leave prorated to their full‐time equivalent status. All employees accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked. Sick leave shall be granted at the rate of eight hours for each calendar month of service. Regular part-time employees may be granted a pro rata rate for each calendar month of service. Employees are entitled to use their accrued, unused paid sick leave beginning on the ninetieth calendar day after the start of their employment.

Sick leave granted and not used shall accrue to the credit of each such employee, up to a maximum total accumulation of 1,940 hours. Accrued sick leave shall be canceled upon termination of employment. In the event any person having accrued sick leave ceases to be employed by the city and is thereafter reemployed, the accrued sick leave of the employee shall not be reinstated, and the employee shall thereafter accrue sick leave in the same manner as if a new employee.

Employees entitled to sick leave may remain away from work with pay, where such absence is the result of personal illness or physical incapacity not job connected, sickness of an immediate family member as defined by RCW 49.46.210, involuntary or enforced quarantine, or death in the immediate family of such employee. Sick leave granted because of death in the immediate family shall not exceed three days unless other arrangements have been approved by the city manager. An employee who is collecting worker's compensation temporary disability benefits as a result of an on-the-job injury shall receive sick leave benefits to supplement such worker's compensation benefits in an amount sufficient to equal the employee's regular rate of pay during the period of temporary disability; provided, however, such supplementary benefits shall not be paid in excess of the accrued sick leave credited to the employee.

Sick Leave Sharing.

(1)

Definition. A "medical condition, illness or injury" shall be defined as:

(A)

A physician certified eminent case; or

(B)

A medical condition, illness, injury of an extraordinary or severe nature and which has caused, or is likely to cause, the employee to:

(i)

Go on leave of absence without pay; or

(ii)

Terminate city employment; but shall not include any mental, emotional or stress-related medical condition, illness, claims or injuries, except for periods during hospitalization or institutional interment.

(2)

Authorization. The city manager may permit a regular full-time or regular part-time employee to receive sick leave donations from other qualified employees under this subsection if the condition meets the definition as provided herein, and if:

(A)

The condition meets the definition;

(B)

The employee's absence and the use of shared sick leave are justified;

(C)

The employee has depleted or will deplete his or her annual vacation leave and sick leave reserves;

(D)

The employee has abided by all personnel rules regarding sick leave use, including physician certification;

(E)

The employee has diligently pursued and been found to be ineligible for state industrial insurance benefits or disability insurance benefits.

(3)

The city manager shall determine the amount of sick leave which an employee may receive under this section. However, an employee shall not receive, in donations, a total of more than 349 hours of donated sick leave.

(4)

Donated sick leave shall be utilized in the order of receipt by the city manager. Such leave shall be donated in eight-hour increments. In the instance where an illness or injury qualifies an employee for state workers' compensation, the employer's access to shared sick leave shall only be for the difference between the employee's straight-time base hourly wage and the amount paid the employee by the state workers' compensation benefits, to the extent of available shared sick leave, if any.

(5)

An employee who has accrued a sick leave balance of more than 192 hours may request that the city manager transfer a specified amount of sick leave to another employee authorized to receive sick leave under this section. In no event may the employee request a transfer of an amount of sick leave that would result in his or her own sick leave account going below 192 hours.

(6)

The amount of sick leave time transferred under this section which remains unused shall be returned to the employee or employees who transferred the leave when the city manager finds that the leave is no longer needed or will not be needed at a future time in connection with the illness or injury for which the leave was transferred.

(Ord. 995 § 17, 1991; Ord. 1018 § 3, 1993; Ord. 1155 § 9, 1997; Ord. 1636 § 6, 2019)

§ 2.44.175 Family leave.

Employees shall be granted family leave in compliance with State and Federal Family Leave Acts as presently set forth or hereafter amended.

(Ord. 1155 § 12, 1997)

§ 2.44.180 Travel expenses.

Any official or employee of the city performing travel on city official business, after being duly authorized to do so, may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred. Requests for reimbursement, including receipts, shall be submitted on a city form signed by the employee or official, department head, and city manager.

Use of a private automobile will be reimbursed at a rate the Internal Revenue Service allows per mile without supporting documents.

Allowable incidental expenses include baggage checking, business telephone, and one brief telephone call home to a family member every 24-hour period. Tips not exceeding 15 percent for meals, taxis, or baggage handling are reimbursable.