When it comes to city employees documenting sick leave, compensatory time or vacation days, Alderman Charlie Jenkins continues to ask questions. And it is the same questions he said he has been asking for about a year.
“I have asked this for about a year now,” Jenkins said, during the recent Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting. “It is about the comp time so that we would be aware of who is taking it.”
Jenkins said he requested about a year ago to have a documented breakdown within his board packet surrounding the city’s payroll docket. He said he had particular interest in who and how much sick leave, comp time or vacation days were being taken.
“Comp time has been a big issue,” Jenkins said. “When we look at a piece of paper, and it just says that 24 hours is being taken…well, who took it? How many hours do they have left? Are there reoccurring hours even though they are only supposed to have 80 a year? It is just some things that I think we need to be clear on. I know it should in the city clerk’s office, but these are questions we come in here every time and ask.”
Alderwoman Elizabeth Thomas also added to Jenkins’ concerns with the recent report of 192 hours of sick leave taken in two weeks.
“That was the total being used by people across all the departments,” replied City Clerk Kaneilia Williams.
Mayor David Starling suggested that the city department heads bring a folder of documented vacation days, sick leave and comp time to every board meeting moving forward.
“Department heads, make a copy, put it in a folder and bring it with you,” he said. “From now on, keep a running sheet and for every board meeting, bring it with you. If there is a question about comp time, you can just pull your folder out.”
Jenkins said it is the procedure itself that also concerns him greatly.
“We wouldn’t even be asking these questions if it was something we were sure wasn’t happening,” Jenkins said. “Until we get something in place to determine whether it is being done right, then these questions are going to be asked every day, whether it is this administration or the next administration. We have to put something in place to follow, and make sure that is being done right.”
“I don’t think Mr. Jenkins is questioning the integrity of you all as department heads,” Starling added. “But these are questions that are being asked. You hold the answers. It is just as simple as when an employee turns in a time-off sheet, start a running folder so that you can bring it in here.”
