Overton County has approved key changes to how employees’ years of service are calculated, aiming to improve retention and recognize prior experience.
County Executive Steven Barlow said the policy now allows county workers to carry over years from previous roles when moving to a different position internally. Barlow said the change was simply the right thing to do.
“Let’s say, they worked five years at the ambulance service, and they are switching over and working for me in my office, we would be able to count that five years towards their pay, and they’re not losing their vacation and things like that,” Barlow said.
The changes also extend to military veterans joining the sheriff’s office. Barlow said those with prior military service can now apply that time toward their pay scale, reflecting skills and experience gained while serving.
“If you have done the same job in the military as you do here…you should be able to count it as well,” he said.
Barlow added that while some hope the policy could eventually expand countywide, officials are starting with specific departments. Barlow said this is another way the county can honor its local veterans who work to protect the county.
“We love our veterans here, and…you have done a lot for our country, and so it’s a way of respect letting you use your service time towards the years of service on your pay scale,” Barlow said.
Barlow said sheriff’s office employees must submit a DD214 to apply their military service toward county years of service. The county commission approved the changes at its most recent monthly meeting.