Weather

A Few Clouds

Current Temp : 77.0 ° F

Humidity : 52 %

Wind : from the East at 11.5 gusting to 20.7 MPH (10 gusting to 18 KT)

More Weather

Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Multimedia

Watch The Video

Tools

County employees want answers about sick leave buy back

By Ray Gomez

Story Created: Nov 5, 2009 at 11:38 PM CDT

Some Webb County employees are looking for answers after hearing a program that usually gets them a few extra dollars was cancelled.

The program is called the Sick Leave Buy Back Program, where employees get to sell back their sick leave hours to the County.

According to County officials, the program was part of the incentives that were done away with after the budget was approved.

Still, a representative of the County Attorneys Office says there will be discussions next week over whether or not to keep the program, including negotiations with those who are under civil service:

“We’re going to look into that. We're going to look into seeing if we can bring it back.”

Valdez did not say when the program would continue.

Next article 3 persons with Consul ties gunned down in Ciudad Juarez

View Oldest Comments First

Monday, Nov 9 at 5:19 PM corruption detector wrote ...

county government is an absolute abomination, a disgraceful group of losers unemployable in any other area except government.

Monday, Nov 9 at 8:57 AM Bellystomper wrote ...

Of all the comments written - I think it is time to DO AWAY with all county services and have the city run the whole county along with the city

Sunday, Nov 8 at 10:57 PM Hard Working Citizen wrote ...

Bring the Sickleave buyback program back!! You will have many voters against you, to add to the long list that already exists, if you don't.

Sunday, Nov 8 at 10:49 PM Never Voted for Elected Official Pay Raise wrote ...

No, we don't recall voting for the elected official pay raises! They should cut their pay by 20%. In fact some of the commisioners wanted to cut their salaries by 20% but not all of them agreed. Bring back the sickleave buyback program or no relection for you, the inconsiderate Judge and Commisioners!

Sunday, Nov 8 at 10:57 AM pay cuts wrote ...

ALL TOP OFFICIALS SHOULD TAKE A PAY CUT 10 % MIN.LET THE POOR MIDDLE CLASS HAVE HIS OR HER PAY CHECK. CUT YOUR PAY BY 10 % AND I DONT RECALL EVER VOTING FOR YOUR PAY RAISE DOES ANYONE RECALL WHEN WE VOTED!!!!!!!!

Sunday, Nov 8 at 12:38 AM One more spouse wrote ...

If the employees use their sick days, the county still has to pay it to them,and they are not at work! These people are at work everyday and deserve to choose the pay over being out. Judge Valdez and the commissioner's need to cut their salaries instead of the employees!

Saturday, Nov 7 at 1:51 PM Big O dont know wrote ...

there are programs like these in other county and municipalities, it encourages people to come to work, with out making up a sick leave excuse. Danny Valdez has never done the county any favors, all he has managed to do (even as JP) is keep the county stale. We need someone who can think outside the box and be creative, professional and stand up to the city instead of embracing big clown bolitas (mayor) when conflict starts.

Saturday, Nov 7 at 12:39 PM Judge Lacks Backbone wrote ...

I mostly agree with Big O. The gov't should not provide more than the private sector can reasonably provide (that's a good measuring stick). HOWEVER, this is about what was already earned. No one should lose prior accruals. No problem with do away with benefits when times demand it. Off the specifics, the court and Judge may lack the intellect to appreciate the governance of reasoning by way of private appraisal. TOO, most times Judge Valdez is about a paycheck -his political life.

Saturday, Nov 7 at 11:24 AM Big O wrote ...

this program is a joke, the rest of the real world does not operate like this. why should we "the tax payers" put up having to pay for this program. use the sick time, stock it up,if the opportunity is given,in case a county employee really needs it for an illness, or that of a loved one, but for the tax payers to pay for this is wrong. that is money out of our ( the taxs payers) pockets, not the county government.

Saturday, Nov 7 at 10:48 AM County Employee Spouse wrote ...

The County Commisioner's and Judge Valdez better rethink this one! This program is a reward for dedicated hard working employees whom never miss a day of work. As a spouse of a county employee, I believe he deserves this buy back program for his loyalty to his job. You will be hurting all of these families, because every year we count on this money for our holiday expenses.

Friday, Nov 6 at 5:50 PM Judget Lacks Backbone wrote ...

The judge has a reputation that he stands for himself only. If it can hurt his political life, then he wants it as far away as possible. He brought the respect to the Court that anyone other than Louis Bruni could. What has Valdez achieved? The SOS program...although a meritous program not much attainment for county government. At his stage, he needs a pay check and will do whatever it takes to not stir the boat even if it means steering away from addressing our community's needs.