The tuition reimbursement program provides reimbursement from training and educational courses that are job-related or degree-related. Job-related courses are those courses specifically related to your job duties while degree-related courses are defined as those required to complete an undergraduate or graduate degree specifically designated by the City as "critical need". Tuition reimbursement is subject to budgetary approvals. Such approvals are subject to management and Council review on an annual basis. If approved, Human Resources will communicate program parameters the end of January.
(a) Any full-time employee who has completed six (6) months of the probationary period as evidenced by the employee's six-month performance evaluation prior to the starting date of the course is eligible.
(b) Education or training must be obtained at an approved or accredited college, university, secondary school, or technical institute, or related educational institute or school.
(c) Employees will be reimbursed, depending on the availability of funds, for one-half of the full cost of tuition, enrollment or application fees, and laboratory fees up to a maximum of seven (7) credit hours or five hundred dollars ($500.00) in reimbursement per term, whichever is less. Employee must receive a satisfactory grade of "C" for undergraduate work or "B" for graduate work. Reimbursement will not be paid for courses in which a lower grade is received.
(d) Requests for participation in the program must be filed and approved in advance using Tuition Reimbursement Participation Request Form. Approval is subject to the availability of budgeted funds.
(e) When the employee completes the course, the employee then submits two (2) copies of the grade transcript and proof of fee payment within thirty (30) days showing that the employee satisfactorily completed the course or courses.
(f) If the employee leaves City employment within one (1) year after completing the course or courses under this program, the employee must refund to the City all money received for courses taken within one (1) year of your termination date.
(g) Employees whose services are terminated by the City are not required to make such refunds.
(h) The City will not reimburse fees for a program of study for which the employee have received a scholarship, grant, or subsidy.
(Ord. 08-24. Passed 6-3-24.)