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Merit Selection Form now OPEN!

The Merit Selection Form is now open through Dec. 15! Full-time and part-time benefits eligible employees working 20 or more hours per week and hired on or before Sept. 30, 2022 can go in and select how they would like to receive their 2023 merit through Employee SSHR in Oracle.

Options include:

Option 1: Receive the merit increase as an addition to the employee’s base rate of pay. This is the default and how merit increases have traditionally been applied. If an employee does not choose an option, they will receive their merit as an addition to their base rate of pay.

Option 2: Receive the merit increase in a lump sum. Employees who choose to receive a lump sum will be paid the annualized equivalent amount of their merit increase all at once in a lump sum on the Jan. 13, 2023 paycheck. If the employee chooses a lump sum and is eligible to participate in the 457 (deferred compensation), they may have the lump sum deferred into their account.

Option 3: Receive the merit in the form of Merit Paid Time Off. Employees who choose to receive Merit PTO will receive Merit PTO in the leave equivalent to their merit increase. Employees unable to use all their Merit PTO during the year, will be paid a lump sum on the last pay period of the year for any remaining balance.

Don’t miss out! More information about Merit, including instructions for completing the Merit Selection Form, and a list of FAQs, can be found on the Rewards for Performance page on InsideJOCO.

The county match is increasing!

Don't miss out on your opportunity to save even more for retirement by receiving the NEW county match in 2023! Starting Jan. 1, 2023 the county will match up to 4% of the base bi-weekly pay that you contribute to your START account.

If you’re contributing up to the current match of 3%, you’ll want to consider increasing your contributions now. We recommend you submit your changes on www.voyaretirementplans.com by Dec. 23, 2022 to ensure your increase takes effect on the Jan. 13, 2023 paycheck.

If you are currently contributing 4% or more, you will automatically receive the increased match in 2023. For assistance logging in and making changes to your contributions,  view this helpful guide.

Flu Season is here. Get Your Flu Shot!

If you attend the last wellness flu clinic on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 at the Administration Building from 9 a.m. – noon, flu shots are free for all county employees, their spouses and children (6 months or older), regardless of whether covered under the county’s medical plan or not.

Health Department nurses will administer wellness program vaccine on a first-come basis until the vaccine is exhausted (60 doses) and then use health department vaccine (50 doses) but will bill the accepted insurance carriers (Blue KC, United Healthcare, Cigna). 

If you are covered under the county’s medical plan, or another accepted by DHE be sure to bring your medical ID card. Supplies are limited. 

For more information and the consent form to bring, view here.

Education Reimbursement Deadline Approaching

Johnson County Government recognizes and appreciates the time and expense required for employees to obtain the education required to qualify for employment, excel in their jobs, and advance in their careers.

Educational Reimbursement applications are due no later than Dec. 31, 2022. This includes courses that end between Jan. 1, 2023 and May 31, 2023 only.

Learn more about Educational Reimbursement here and access the request form here.

Online auction supports Feed the Need, open through Dec. 9

The Johnson County District Attorney's Office is hosting an online auction Dec. 1-9, with proceeds supporting Feed the Need.

More than 40 items will be available for county staff to bid on, including:

• Kansas City Zoo passes
• Joe’s Kansas City BBQ gift card
• Super Smash KC voucher
• Prairie Fire Museum all access day pass
• Kansas City Current ticket voucher

Learn more about the online auction, and bid through the auction gallery now through Dec. 9.

BOCC recap  

In addition to the above, today’s Board of County Commissioners meeting included the following:

Adopted the 2023 Johnson County State Legislative Platform with four Action Agenda Priorities, including:

• Supports increased funding for mental health services and community mental health center (CMHC) grants.
• Supports Medicaid expansion in Kansas.
• Supports continued expansion of the eligibility of the Homestead Act and SAFESR – Kansas Property Tax Relief for Low Income Seniors.
• Supports dedicated funding of a comprehensive transportation plan including highways, airports, trails and transit.

The briefing sheet on the 2023 Johnson County State Legislature Platform is attached here.

In her weekly report, County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson provided a bimonthly report on updates for major projects over $1 million and master plans. The report supplements the Public Building Commission biannual reports in February and August. The information contained in this report is through Nov. 23, 2022. A copy of the report is attached here. 

More information on these and other items from today’s meeting is available at boccmeetings.jocogov.org.