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Home My WebLink AboutItem C10 CIO BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY of MONROE Mayor James K.Scholl,District 3 The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern Michelle Lincoln,District 2 Craig Cates,District 1 David Rice,District 4 Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5 Board of County Commissioners Meeting August 20, 2025 Agenda Item Number: CIO 2023-4306 BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: Employee Services TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Bryan Cook N/A AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of a Resolution to waive Section 2.12(F) of the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual which requires repayment of tuition reimbursement for employees who leave employment within two years of receiving the reimbursement, for employee William Uptegrove, whose position was eliminated due to workforce reduction FY26, the total amount to be waived is $14,700.00. ITEM BACKGROUND: Pursuant to Section 2.12 (F) of the Monroe County Personnel Policies & Procedures Manual, employees may receive reimbursement for certain costs related to higher education, including but not limited to tuition expenses. To qualify for said reimbursement, employees are required to commit to a minimum of two (2)years of employment with Monroe County, otherwise any reimbursement which was made by the County to the employee shall be refunded to the County. Employee William Uptegrove's position was eliminated due to workforce reduction in the FY26 budget. Due to the nature of Mr. Uptegrove's termination (layoff), the County is requesting to waive the payback requirement in policy 2.12(F) as stated above. Therefore this item seeks BOCC approval to waive the total amount of $14,700.00. PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: INSURANCE REQUIRED: No CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: N/A STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval DOCUMENTATION: 464 RIF Letter Uptegrove 07.11.25.pdf signed.pdf Resolution -2025 W. Uptegrove Educational Reimbursement Write Off.pdf FINANCIAL IMPACT: $14,700.00 465 County of Monroe The Florida Keys s � BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS fr h Mayor James K.Scholl,District 3 Mayor Pro Tem,Michelle Lincoln,District 2 Craig Cates,District 1 David Rice,District 4 Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5 July 7, 2025 Mr. William Uptegrove Fleet Mechanic Fire Rescue Department Dear Mr. Uptegrove, This letter is to inform you that the County has made the decision to eliminate the position of Fleet Mechanic in the Fire Rescue Department.As you are currently employed in this position, I have been left with the unfortunate task of informing you that your current employment with Monroe County will end on Friday, July 25, 2025, in accordance with Section 11.02 of the Personnel Policies&Procedures Manual,which is 2 weeks after you received an email notification on 7/11/25. Any Annual Leave, Compensatory Time, and Sick Leave you may have accrued during your employment with Monroe County shall be paid out in your final paycheck in accordance with Section 7 of the Policies & Procedures Manual. Please be aware that your health insurance coverage through the Monroe County Group Health Insurance Plan shall terminate on the effective date of your separation from Monroe County. Information regarding options for the continuation of your health insurance coverage will be sent to you by the Benefits Office. If you have any questions, you may call the Group Insurance Office at (305)292-4446. Upon receipt of this letter, you may also qualify for unemployment benefits through the State of Florida. You are encouraged to contact your local unemployment office to inquire about the process to apply for such benefits. If you are eligible and wish to pursue retirement through the State of Florida Retirement System, you may contact the Payroll Department to initiate the retirement process at (305)294-4641 x 3543. Finally, we would like to assist you in finding another position within Monroe County. Pursuant to Sections 3.03(B) of the Personnel Policies, you are eligible for a period of up to one (1) year from the end of your current employment to be given first consideration for positions in a similar classification. You are encouraged to apply for positions for which you may qualify through the Promotional Opportunity System. Job openings are posted on the County's website, for additional information on open positions please contact the Human Resources office at 305- 292-4554. Reductions in force, such as this instance, are one of the most difficult actions that any organization faces. Please rest assured that this decision was not made lightly or without due consideration of other feasible options. We regret that you have been affected by this decision and stand by ready to assist you in any way we can. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance to you in this difficult time. Sincerely, Christine Digitally signed by Christine Hurley Date:2025.07.07 H i i rl Psi Christ ne Hurley County Administrator 466 RESOLUTION NO. -2025 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,WAIVING SECTION 212(F) OF THE PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL,WHICH REQUIRES REPAYMENT OF TUITION REIMBURSEMENT FOR EMPLOYEES WHO LEAVE EMPLOYMENT WITHIN TWO YEARS OF RECEIVING THE REIMBURSEMENT, FOR WILLIAM UPTEGROVE, WHOSE POSITION WAS ELIMINATED DUE TO WORKFORCE REDUCTION FY26, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OWED IS $14,700. WHEREAS, Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (`Board') has an Educational Assistance Program and Policy (`Policy') that provides for reimbursement to employees of qualifying higher education costs and tuition expenses; and WHEREAS, the Policy stipulates that if an employee leaves employment before two (2) years have passed, the employee owes back all funds paid to the employee by Monroe County for tuition and other qualifying higher education expenses; and WHEREAS, an employee in the Monroe Fire Rescue Department, William Uptegrove, participated in in this program, received educational reimbursements totaling $14,700, and left Monroe County employment prior to the minimum two (2) year employment period required under the Policy; and WHEREAS, Uptegrove's end of employment was due to the Workforce Reduction for the FY26 Budget rather than voluntary reasons of his own choosing, and due to the nature of the termination, the County wishes to waive Section 2.12(F) of the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, and Uptegrove will not have an expectation of educational reimbursement payback; and WHEREAS, the County wishes to waive the total amount of$14,700 and Uptegrove will not be required to pay the amount back to the County; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, THAT: The Board waives Section 2.12 (F) of the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, which requires repayment of tuition reimbursement for employees who leave employment within two years of receiving the reimbursement, for William Uptegrove in the amount of$14,700. 467 PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting held on the 20'h of August 2025. Mayor James K. Scholl Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Lincoln Commissioner Craig Cates Commissioner David Rice Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA (SEAL) BY: MAYOR JAMES K. SCHOLL ATTEST: KEVIN MADOK, CLERK AS DEPUTY CLERK 468