Supervisors Okay Drug Testing Of Employees Using Vehicles
Policy Will See Random Screening

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor  
  Certain county employees -- including members of the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors -- will be subject to random drug screens under a resolution adopted last Monday by the board.
  The resolution agreed to initiates a random drug screening process for any county employee who operates a county motor vehicles or heavy equipment, as well as for those who use their personal vehicles within the scope of their employment with the county.
  The resolution was adopted on a motion by Garden Supervisor Buddy Fuller and second by Knox Supervisor Pat Justus.
  The resolution was adopted "in order to promote safety in the work place."
  In brief discussion on the proposed resolution, County Administrator W.J. Caudill noted employees who have a CDL license are currently tested, however, he said the resolution would also require those with regular driver's licenses who operate county vehicles or equipment or those who use their own vehicles and claim mileage reimbursement to be randomly tested.
  Prater Supervisors Eddie Lindsay asked specifically what substances employees would be tested for and Caudill said it would be the same as what bus drivers are now tested for when they are tested.
  Hurricane Supervisor William P. Harris asked about prescription medication.
  "I take prescription medication, but I don't take no dope," Harris said. "When you get old, you'll take medication."
  It was noted that employees taking prescription drugs who are tested would have an opportunity to show a valid prescription for any medications they are taking at the time the testing is done.
  No further discussion was heard.
  The vote to adopt the resolution establishing the random testing was approved unanimously.

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Hospitalization Premium Assistance Offered to Retirees
Automatic Raises Included for Long-Term County Employees

   A new policy offering county employee retirees, who are not yet eligible for Medicare, assistance in paying hospitalization premiums for up to 10 years and which provides for automatic salary increases for some long-term employees, who have not yet retired, was approved on a split vote of the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors last Monday.
  Board members voted 5-2 to adopt a resolution establishing the policy, but some supervisors expressed concern over the cost.
  Garden Supervisor Buddy Fuller asked how much it would cost, however, County Administrator W. J. Caudill said the cost had not yet been calculated.
  Knox Supervisor Pat Justus made the motion to approve the new policy and North Grundy Supervisor Carroll Branham made the second. The vote saw Justus, Branham, Prater Supervisor Eddie Lindsay, Hurricane Supervisor William P. Harris and Rocklick Supervisor David Ratliff vote "yes" and Fuller and South Grundy Chairman Roger Rife vote "no."
  The new policy applies to county employees on or after January 1, 2006, who are 55 or older and who have at least 30 years of Virginia Retirement System (VRS) service.
  The hospitalization premium assistance is available to retirees who meet that criteria.
  However, under the new policy, those same individuals will receive automatic annual raises -- before retirement -- which the resolution states is being done to encourage those employees to create pre-taxed retirement funds to plan for health insurance after retirement.
  The policy states employees who have at least 30 years of service with VRS -- with at least five of those in Buchanan County -- will receive a $60 per year increase in salary for each of the 30 years for a total of $1,800 per year; and an additional $60 per year from 31 to 35 years, not to exceed a total of $2,100 per year.

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