Commission discusses sick leave

By TONY STINNETT, Courier Sports Editor

Shirley Young, a former employee in the County Trustee's Office, was hoping unused sick time she had accrued during her time in the office would be paid to her after leaving the job; however, that will not be the case.

County Commissioner Jim Bush suggested the current county policy regarding sick and vacation days is "vague and needs to be re-evaluated" based on how it is currently written during the quarterly meeting of the Cannon County Commission at the County Courthouse Saturday (Oct. 18).

Bush made a motion that Young receive pay for the unused sick days but the motion did not get a second and no further action was taken. Bush made his motion based on information provided by Young for unused days.

County Executive Mike Gannon said he had no problem with Young or any other county employee being paid for unused sick or vacation time but he added that research indicated no other county employee had previously been paid for unused time. There was also concern that paying Young for unused time would open a whole new issue in regard to other employees who had left their positions with unused time not being paid.

A second motion was made asking Gannon to determine if Young's unused time could roll over into her retirement and if she would receive pay in this way. That motion was seconded and passed.

Young told the Commissioners she had accumulated a number of sick days and it was her understanding that she would be compensated for unused time when she left her position.

Gannon was also voted Chairman of the Commission - a position he chaired for years until a change in format four years ago. Gannon received six votes and was named Chairman. Commissioners voting in favor of Gannon as Chairman were Todd Hollandsworth, Mark Barker, Karen Ashford, Jamie Holloway, Glenn Steakley and Adam Melton.

Barker had served as Chairman the previous two years. Commissioners Russell Reed and Richie Hunter voted for Barker to remain in his current role as Chairman. Jim Bush received two votes. Bush voted for himself and also received the support of Commissioner Brent Bush.

The group also voted to move monthly meetings from the second Tuesday of each month to the second Thursday of each month beginning with November's County Commission meeting. The Commission will continue to conduct four quarterly meetings annually.

Jim Bush also indicated the County needs to start bidding on all insurance and fuel for all county-owned equipment. He said commissioners could look into enforcing the utilization of County equipment only for County business.
The American Legion Post 279 also recognized five Cannon County Employees with Outstanding Employee of the Year awards during the meeting. Commander Charlie Harrell presented certificates and trophies to Ed Brown of the Cannon County Sheriff's Department; Michael George, fire chief of the Mooretown Volunteer Fire Department; Daryl Fisher, head of county maintenance; Roger Lovvorn, Cannon County Ambulance Service; and Skylar Daniel, Cannon County Rescue Squad.

In other business, the commissioners also passed budget amendments for the Sheriff's Department and Highway Department. They also gave approval for the Mooretown Fire Department to section off property of the Fire Department for an Auxiliary Building, which will be funded through fundraisers during the year.