Ohio sales tax holiday begins, county considers updates to personnel policy

Ohio's 10-day sales tax holiday starts July 30. The holiday was extended from its previous three-day length at the start of each August with Ohio House Bill 33.

At a Butler County Board of Commissioners meeting July 29, administrator Judi Boyko said the tax exemption is only for non-perishable goods and back-to-school items.

Later in the meeting, Boyko presented a resolution to authorize and approve modifications to the revised Board of Commissioners' personnel policy manual regarding equal employment opportunity and an alcohol and drug-free workplace.

"The majority of the amendments are related to updating current relevant statutes whether it be federal or state law, also for changes in the workforce," Boyko said. "This document is over 20 years old, and so it is necessitated to make these amendments."

Boyko added that their workplace doesn't tolerate drugs and alcohol use, including medical marijuana.

Commissioner Cindy Carpenter said she was concerned about the personnel policy changes from her experience as a legal rights services commissioner. She said she feels like they're adding more than what the law states.

"For instance, it makes me uncomfortable that if a person has filed something, claiming discriminatory harassment and it's determined that the harassment hasn't occurred, they're subject to being fired," Carpenter said. "That seems as if [it] would discourage people from filing something they think is wrong."

Boyko addressed her concerns, noting that the provisions are the same as the federal statute in terms of what is determined as lawful and unlawful harassment and discrimination.

The policy would also add a new training process to ensure every employee is up to date on all the compliance matters in place. Boyko said they'd monitor the employees who will receive detailed training on every section of the policy. Training will be for both employees and supervisors, with refreshers every year.

Commissioner T.C. Rogers added that they have met with the legal consultant Kelly Babcock on the matter, and Boyko said she's been reporting on this for multiple weeks.

The vote was tabled for the next meeting for Carpenter to discuss with Babcock about how the new amendments align with the current law.

Later in the meeting, the commissioners approved for the Sheriff's office to apply for the 2024 violence against women act grant for $60,000, with matching $20,000 funds, for the purpose of victim assistance, according to the meeting agenda.

The Butler County Commissioners' next weekly meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 5 in the Butler County Government Services building, 315 High St.