Columbus, Georgia

AN ORDINANCE



NO. __________



An Ordinance repealing ? 16B-15-7 of the Columbus Code (Military Leave) and

replacing it with Human Resources Policy Number 220-401 (Military Leave Policy).

_____________________________________



THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY ORDAINS:





SECTION ONE



? 16B-15-7 of the City Code is hereby repealed in its entirety.



SECTION TWO



Human Resources Policy Number 220-401, Military Leave Policy, dated August 20,

2003 is hereby adopted. The official copy of said policy shall be maintained

in the office of the City Manager.



SECTION THREE



All Ordinances and parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby

repealed.



____________________________________________________



Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held on

the ______day of __________, 2003; introduced a second time at a regular

meeting of said Council held on the _________day of __________, 2003, and

adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of ______ members of said

council.



Councilor Allen Voting ______________________________.

Councilor Anthony Voting ______________________________.

Councilor Davis Voting ______________________________.

Councilor Henderson Voting ______________________________.

Councilor Hunter Voting ______________________________.

Councilor McDaniel Voting ______________________________.

Councilor Suber Voting ______________________________.

Councilor Rodgers Voting ______________________________.

Councilor Turner Pugh Voting ______________________________.

Councilor Woodson Voting ______________________________.





_______________________ ______________________________

Tiny B. Washington, Clerk Robert S. Poydasheff, Mayor

Page 1 of 2





Military Leave Policy 220-401

POLICY AND PROCEDURE











POLICY NUMBER: 220-401



POLICY TITLE: MILITARY LEAVE POLICY



EFFECTIVE DATE: August 20, 2003 REVISION DATE:





APPROVED BY: __________________

_____________________

MAYOR CITY MANAGER



Confirmed by Council of The Columbus Consolidated Government, Ordinance No.

dated the day of

.





STATEMENT OF POLICY:

The Columbus Consolidated Government fully supports our employees who are

members of the armed forces of the United States of America, including its

various reserve and guard components. Accordingly, the Columbus Consolidated

Government affirms its support for The Uniformed Services Employment and

Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 and the Ordered Military Duty provisions in the

Official Code of Georgia, Section 38-2-279. The Columbus Consolidated

Government also recognizes that military service may create a financial

hardship for some of our employees and, during times of war and emergency, is

committed to support above and beyond that dictated by law.



SCOPE:

This policy applies to all full time employees of the Columbus Consolidated

Government.



RESPONSIBILITY:

It is the responsibility of each employee who is a member of a reserve or guard

component of the armed forces to keep his/her supervisor or manager advised of

military duty obligations.



It is the responsibility of supervisors and managers to keep accurate records

of military leave taken by employees and to coordinate payment of military

leave entitlements with Human Resources.



PROCEDURE:

I. Employees Resigning to Enlist in the Armed Services

A. Employees enlisting in the armed services are eligible for reemployment

according to the terms of The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment

Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).

B. Employees enlisting or returning from active duty in the armed services must

present copies of orders, separation papers (DD214) or other documentation to

establish and preserve their rights under the USERRA.



II. Employee Reservists and Guard Members Ordered to Active Military Duty

A. Employees who are members of the National Guard or reserve components of the

U.S. Armed Forces are also eligible for reemployment according to the terms of

the USERRA and under Georgia law as codified at O.C.G.A. ? 38-2-279.

B. Under Georgia law employees who are members of the National Guard or reserve

components of the U.S. Armed Forces are also eligible for up to 18 days of paid

military leave under normal circumstances and members of the National Guard are

entitled to up to 30 days paid military leave in the event the Governor

declares an emergency. O.C.G.A. ? 38-2-279(e).



III. Employee Reservists and Guard Members Ordered to Extended Active Military

Duty

A. This section applies only to major activations and deployments during

periods of emergency or war, including domestic counter-terrorism, natural

disasters and other internal emergencies as declared by the President of the

United States, The United States Congress, or the Governor of Georgia or of a

contiguous state and affirmed by Council.

B. After an employee has received the 18 or 30 days of paid military leave

provided by Georgia law, as outlined in Section II. B, he/she is entitled to be

paid the difference, if any, that their total military pay and allowances is

less than the base pay the employee would have received if working at their

regular job with the City. This benefit is limited to a maximum of one year of

active duty during any period of emergency or war as set and affirmed by

Council.

C. In order for the benefits under this policy to become effective, Council

must first adopt a resolution specifying the nature of the emergency or

conflict, the beginning date of the benefit, whether the benefits are

retroactive, including dates preceding the effective date of this policy, and

the maximum allowable leave time for each authorized extended military duty

benefit period.

D. To collect a benefit, the employee must submit to the Human Resources

Department, military pay vouchers or other documents issued by military pay

authorities detailing the total amount of military pay and allowances received

and the period of time covered by the payment(s). Human Resources will

calculate the amount of any payments due and request the issuance of a direct

deposit.