(a) The City will support the pursuit of job related college courses by reimbursing employees on Pay Table I for expenses the employee incurs for books, tuition, and laboratory fees associated with attendance of classes at an accredited institution. Prior approval of the Department Head, Human Resources Manager and City Manager is required in determining if the college course is job related.
(b) In order to qualify for reimbursement, the employee must achieve a grade of C or better in the particular class(es). Any reimbursed education courses must be included in the approved departmental training budget. Persons interested in pursuing college education opportunities should make their request in writing to their department head by June of each year so that the request can be included in the Department’s training appropriation. All departments shall include detailed requests during the annual budgeting process outlining each employee requesting reimbursement and the degree sought.
(c) Any employee who resigns from City employment within five (5) years after completing their college course and who received financial reimbursement from the City, shall pay back to the City the reimbursement received on a pro-rated basis over the five (5)-year period with twenty percent (20%) of the reimbursement being forgiven each year beginning from the date the course was completed. Such reimbursement costs owed the City may be withheld from the employee’s final pay check.
(d) College courses required by the City and initiated by an employee’s supervisor shall not be subject to this Section.
(Ord. A-1113. Passed 12-1-75; Ord. A-2152. Passed 12-14-98; Ord. A-2464. Passed 12-12-05; Ord. A-2778. Passed 12-9-13; Ord. A-2957. Passed 12-10-18; Ord. A-3111. Passed 11-28-22.)