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0 <br />INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Members of the Board of County Commissioners <br />THROUGH: Jason E. Brown, County Administrator <br />FROM: Tad Stone, Director <br />Department of Emergency Services <br />DATE: February 1, 2022 <br />SUBJECT: Fire Rescue Division Battalion Chief Posting & Vacation Compensation <br />Consideration <br />DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS: <br />Lorin Benham, Fire Rescue Battalion Chief, will retire on June 30, 2022. In light of Battalion Chief <br />Benham and other upcoming retirements, we have advertised internally, interviewed multiple <br />candidates, and compiled a list of suitable replacements for the retirement vacancies. It is our plan to <br />fill the Battalion Chief position 30 days prior to Chief Benham's retirement, to allow our new <br />Battalion Chief ample time to learn the subtleties of the job. The dual -encumbrance will not exceed <br />30 days. <br />Due to COVID and work responsibilities, Chief Benham was unable to take the necessary vacation <br />time throughout the year to get to a level that complies with Administrative Policy Manual Number <br />502.1. In fact, by the time he reaches his retirement day, he will be approximately 240 hours (20 <br />days), over the maximum allowed. Currently, Chief Benham has enough time to use his excess <br />vacation and was planning to utilize his vacation time during his last 30 days; unfortunately, in doing <br />so, it would leave his supervisory position vacant during the 30 days that dual encumbrance for his <br />upcoming vacancy was due to begin. To benefit the department, as well as Chief Benham, we <br />respectfully request authorization to compensate Battalion Chief Lorin Benham for the 240 hours (20 <br />Days) of accrued vacation leave exceeding the maximum specified in the Indian River County <br />Administrative Policy. The total cost for this exception to the policy is $10,725.85 (breakdown <br />attached). <br />FUNDING: <br />Funding in the amount of $10,725.85 will be provided from the Emergency Services Salaries & <br />Benefits accounts. <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Staff recommends the Board of County Commissioners authorize dual -encumbrance for the <br />Battalion Chief position not to exceed 30 days. Staff also recommends that a special exception be <br />made to the Administrative Policy Manual Number AM 502.1 and authorize payment for 240 <br />additional hours (20 days) of accrued vacation leave, exceeding the maximum leave allowed to be <br />paid. <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />1. Vacation Leave Policy (AM 502.1) <br />2. Vacation Payout Breakdown <br />10 <br />