(a) Purpose. A tuition reimbursement program shall be established for the purpose of encouraging regular full-time non-probationary employees to upgrade their competencies in work-related functions in order to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of city services. Courses eligible under the tuition reimbursement program shall be limited to those offered by an accredited institution and related to the employee's position with the City unless otherwise authorized by the Department director, division head, and City Manager. Courses shall not be eligible for reimbursement if taken by an employee on City time. Such courses shall not interfere with the proper and effective performance of the paid duties of the employee.. For purposes of this Section, the word "employee" shall mean all regular full-time, non- probationary employees of the City, excepting elected officials and the City Manager. Regular full-time employees who are receiving educational incentive benefits for courses completed may continue receiving same at the discretion of the City Manager.
(Ord. 11-O-74. Passed 9-6-11.)
(b) Eligibility. To be eligible for tuition reimbursement an employee must:
(1) Have completed a one year probationary period.
(2) Obtain written approval from the department director or division head and the City Manager of the course to be taken prior to registering for the course.
(3) Successfully complete the course with a grade of “B" or higher and submit an official written record of the grade attained and work completed.
(4) Be in the City's employment at the time of completing and being reimbursed for such approved course work.
(Ord. 12-O-29. Passed 3-20-12.)
(c) Extent and type of reimbursement. Tuition reimbursement shall be made in the following manner:
(1) Fifty percent (50%) of employee tuition costs only shall be reimbursed by the City upon successful completion of a course when such course work is in an approved degree program and such course work is deemed by the City Manager to have an indirect value to the employee and the City in performance of the employee's duties.
(2) One hundred percent (100%) of employee tuition costs shall be reimbursed by the City upon successful completion of a course when such course work is deemed by the City Manager to have a direct value to the employee and the City in the performance of the employee's duties. Tuition reimbursement shall be capped at the current cost per credit hour as that being charged by Cleveland State University for undergraduate tuition/instruction only. The City will only reimburse up to twelve (12) credit hours completed per employee per calendar year.
In all cases reimbursement shall be for tuition only and shall not include the cost of books or other educational materials.
(Ord. 11-O-74. Passed 9-6-11.)
(d) An employee who voluntarily resigns from the service of the City of Mentor within one year after completing a course for which tuition reimbursement is given, shall return the full amount of such reimbursement to the City unless otherwise waived by the City Manager.
(e) The City Manager shall promulgate appropriate rules and regulations for the implementation of this section.
(Ord. 07-0-33. Passed 3-20-07.)