2005-03-09 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Properly established county programs should be in writing and approved by the county board. They should include clear wellness and recognition objectives. The county board must determine what amounts can be expended as "necessary to achieve the objectives of the program." The State Auditor's Office, in reviewing county expenditures for wellness and employee recognition programs, will be guided by what is permitted and what is prohibited for state employees. Counties cannot simply provide employee banquets or parties for all employees. County funds can be spent only as necessary to achieve the objectives of an established wellness and employee recognition program. For example, based on established criteria, a program might include an annual employee recognition event that provides a meal reimbursement limited to the specific employees being recognized. We believe such a program could also include the provision of non-cash/non-negotiable items of nominal value for the specific recognized employees. Although we would consider a program recognizing all employees to be inappropriate, light refreshments (i.e. coffee and cake) could be served to all county employees at a service award reception. Of course, all elements of the wellness and employee . recognition program should be approved in writing by the county board before expenditures are made. Cities. Towns and School Districts Lack Similar Specific Statutory Authority Cities, towns and school districts are not mentioned in Minn. Stat. g 15.46. For this reason, these local governments do not currently have the same authority that counties have to establish wellness and employee recognition programs. Cities, towns and school districts may wish to seek similar legislative authorization. Unless the statutes are changed to grant this type of authority to cities, towns, and school districts; public expenditures by these entities for employee wellness and recognition programs are unauthorized and improper. Until the law is changed, if employees of a city, town or school district want to have a social event or celebrate a special event in a coworker's life, their alternative is to pool their own resources for an event like a "pot luck" lunch.