161.20 TUITION REIMBURSEMENT.

   (a)   Each full-time employee of the City may be eligible for reimbursement of tuition, upon the availability of funds. Part-time employees, contractors and seasonal staff are not eligible for this benefit. Classes taken during any portion of a leave of absence (paid or unpaid) are not eligible for reimbursement. Tuition shall be for courses of instruction that are job-related or career-related (reasonably attainable position within the City) at an accredited school, college or university. Tuition will be reimbursed up to four thousand dollars ($4,000) for undergraduate coursework and five thousand dollars ($5,000) for graduate coursework per calendar year per covered employee.

(Ord. 117-15. Passed 12-29-15.)

   (b)   All courses shall be taken during nonworking hours. All scheduled hours of courses shall be filed and approved by the department head and Mayor. Any situation which, in the discretion of the department head and Mayor would require an employee’s presence on the job shall take complete and final precedence over any times scheduled for courses.

   (c)   Financial assistance from governmental or private agencies available to a covered employee, whether applied for and regardless of when assistance may have been received, shall be deducted from the entire amount of the total tuition. When the employee’s tuition is fully covered by another governmental or private agency, the employee is not entitled to reimbursement.

(Ord. 104-93. Passed 12-21-93.)

   (d)   All course work subject to reimbursement shall be approved in advance by the appropriate department head and the Mayor. Benefits are limited to one degree for each level, i.e., one associate’s, one bachelor’s, one Master’s. Education involving sports, games or hobbies is not eligible unless such education involves the business of the City or is required as part of a degree program. An employee shall make application for approval of reimbursement at least fifteen days before the start of the court of study. An employee shall make application for approval of reimbursement at least fifteen days before the start of the course of study.

   (e)   Reimbursement shall be made upon successful completion of the undergraduate coursework with a grade of C (2.00) or better and graduate coursework with a grade of B (3.00) or better. The employee shall submit an official transcript or certificate demonstrating successful completion of the course and a receipt from the institution confirming the employee paid for tuition and fees within thirty days of completion of courses. Any financial assistance available to an employee shall be deducted from the amount of the tuition reimbursement that would otherwise be payable. The employee will only be reimbursed for tuition. There shall be no reimbursement for incidental expenses such as fees, books, paper, supplies, mileage, parking, meals and all other expenses.

(Ord. 117-2015. Passed 12-29-15.)

   (f)   An employee participating in the tuition reimbursement program who resigns or retires from City employment must repay the tuition reimbursement paid by the City for courses taken within two (2) years, based on the member’s effective resignation or retirement date. This two year time period is based on the date the course, quarter or semester ended, not the date of reimbursement payment by the City. Any amounts due to the City under the pay back requirements shall be deducted from the employee’s final paycheck including any applicable paid out leave balances. The employee shall make arrangements for payment of any additional balance due to the City with the Auditor before his/her last day of employment.

(Ord. 14-09. Passed 3-17-09.)