Stafford County employees have just over a week longer to comment on proposed changes to travel policies, including one about reimbursing the county for travel costs if an employee leaves his or her position.
The Board of Supervisors will take up the proposed amendments on June 19, after deferring the vote at this week's meeting.
Changes to the policies had been in the works, but controversy flared when board members criticized the outgoing fire chief for attending a conference in Las Vegas during his last week in Stafford.
Supervisors later learned that former Fire Chief Rob Brown used vacation time for the conference, which was paid for by the hosting organization.
Interim Fire Chief Mark Lockhart also attended, and those costs were paid for by the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Two amendments are proposed to be added to the staff manual, which was last updated in September 2008.
If an employee voluntarily leaves the county within six months of county-paid professional development, training or seminars, the employee would be responsible for reimbursing anything that exceeds $1,000, according to the proposed policy.
Another proposed amendment calls for county vehicles to be used only for in-state travel, unless approved by the department director.
Typically when changes to personnel policies are made, employees receive time to give their opinions.
An email notice was sent to all employees on May 30, notifying them of the draft policy.
The Employee Advisory Committee, made up of employees from several departments, also reviewed the changes.
The board's Finance, Audit and Budget committee discussed the changes last month.
Katie Thisdell: 540/735-1975
Email: kthisdell@freelancestar.com