137.12 ACCUMULATED SICK LEAVE.

   (a)   Effective January 1, 1998, a Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief with ten (10) or more years of service who resigns, retires, is laid off or dismissed, or upon death, the member or the member’s estate will be paid in cash at the rate of one-half of his accumulated, but unused, sick leave credit to a maximum benefit accrual of 3,300 sick leave hours. The maximum payment (1,650 hours) will be based on the rate of pay at the time of retirement or death. For purposes of compensation under this provision, hourly rate of pay shall be defined as an employee’s actual base rate excluding all other wage tied benefits.

   (b)   Effective June 1, 2010, the Fire Chief and/or Assistant Fire Chief with fifteen (15) or more years of service in the Department of Fire shall be entitled to withdraw pay from his/her accumulated sick time provided, however, that such request for early withdrawal must be made in writing to the Director of Finance at least sixty (60) days prior to the date requested for said withdrawal on a form to be provided by the city. The reason for the request for withdrawal must be to further the employee’s education or to pursue advanced certifications related to the fields of firefighting and/or emergency medical services and/or executive level management/leadership development education. The eligible employee shall furnish proof satisfactory to the Finance Director of application and registration for said course of study in the above-named courses of study or courses related thereto prior to the withdrawal of said funds. Early withdrawal of sick time shall be computed on the basis of the employee’s hourly rate, based on his/her base pay, at time of approval. The maximum withdrawal permitted shall be ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per year by the eligible employee. The maximum amount an eligible employee may withdraw under this provision is twenty thousand dollars ($20,000).

(Ord. 2010-057. Passed 5-4-10.)