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Cities, county keeping most employees

Staff writer

County and city employees are holding up pretty well in a time of furloughs, hours cuts, and record unemployment filings throughout the state.

Hillsboro

Hillsboro city administrator Larry Paine said the city’s 27 full-time employees remain on duty and two part-time employees were furloughed since the COVID-19 statewide stay-home order went into effect.

“We have most of the office staff alternating working at home and the office,” Paine said. “We still have full time presence in the office.”

Paine himself has been working from home for three weeks, he said.

“At this point, we have not made any adjustments on employee salaries or wages,” Paine said.

Marion

Marion has 31 full-time employees, 16 part-time, and 22 contracted employees.

Of them, two full-time, six part-time, and all 22 contracted employees are furloughed.

Two full-time employees are sharing jobs and working from home. Their pay rate is not reduced, but they work fewer hours.

Marion County

County clerk Tina Spencer said Marion County has 120 full-time employees, a few part-timers and emergency medical service volunteers paid for time they are called to duty.

The actual number of employees varies depending on the season, Spencer said. The road and bridge department hires summer help.

“The majority of county employees are still working full hours, rotating between working at home and working in the office,” Spencer said. “Employees are paid for time worked regardless of whether they are working at home or in their regular location.

No employees have been furloughed but the county does have some employees on COVID-19 family leave because they are caring for children and working intermittently.

“They will be paid according to the requirements of that federal legislation,” she said.

Employers are required under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to provide up to two weeks’ regular pay for employees who are ordered into isolation or quarantine related to COVID-19, or if they are experiencing symptoms and seeking diagnosis.

Employees must be paid 2/3 their standard pay if they are caring for someone in isolation or quarantine.

They must be given up to 10 weeks more of paid sick leave and expanded family medical leave paid at 2/3 their standard pay, up to $200 per day and $12,000 total, if they are caring for their child whose day-care or school is closed due to COVID-19 reasons. If they were hired 30 days or more before their leave request, they may be eligible for an additional 10 weeks of partially-paid expanded family and medical leave.

“Depending how long the COVID-19 situation lasts, there are some that may eventually have hours reduced or be furloughed,” Spencer said. “I don’t know how many, but I would not expect it to be a large number.”

The appraiser’s and clerk’s offices, both short staffed, don’t plan to hire until things return to normal, Spencer said.

Some workers have been or will be asked to do different jobs, like serving as couriers or assisting with some office work.

Spencer said employees directly working on the health emergency are working longer hours than normal.

“The situation is ever-changing, so it is difficult to provide exact information regarding numbers,” Spencer said

The sheriff’s office, jail, dispatch, and Emergency Medical Services continue to work as normal, she said. The road and bridge department is also working projects.

Last modified April 23, 2020

 

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