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Employee Information

A summary of benefits generally provided to employees of Jones County. Benefits, privileges, and duties for employees covered under the collective bargaining agreement may vary depending on specific contract provisions.

Jones County is an affirmative action equal opportunity employer.

Employment Law Poster

Policies

Contact the Jones County Auditor's Office for more information regarding employee benefits and to report changes to your personal information which may affect the administration of your payroll records and benefits.

Compensation

Pay rates for employees in the collective bargaining agreement are reflected in the Employee Union Contract.

Pay rates for employees not in the collective bargaining agreement are established by the respective elected official, or department head, and approved by the Board of Supervisors.

Employees generally serve a six-month probationary period. Pay increases may be granted for length of service, performance evaluations, or other factors. Across the board, compensation increases may be considered by the Board of Supervisors, and if granted are generally made effective annually on July 1. All compensation paid to employees of Jones County is public record.

Paid Time Off

Vacation

Jones County grants vacation with pay to recognize eligible employees’ length of service and performance and to show our appreciation by providing time off with pay. Full-time employees earn vacation based on continuous years of service based on their date of hire according to the following schedule:
Years of Continuous Service & Annual Accrual Rate:

*Exception: During year 1, the employee will be given 40 hours of vacation upon hire and the remaining 40 hours will be accrued throughout the first year.

A part-time Employee will receive vacation on the same basis as full-time Employees, but on a pro-rated basis based on the number of hours the Employee is normally scheduled to work.

Holidays

For employees regularly working 16 hours or more per week Jones County provides 10 paid holidays each year:

Personal Days

For all full-time employees, and non-union part-time employees, Jones County grants two paid personal days per fiscal year, though the first-year benefit may be pro-rated for persons hired mid-year.

Sick Leave

Jones County provides paid time off to full-time employees for illness of the employee and for doctor, dental, and eye appointments that cannot be obtained outside normal working hours. Employees may use up to 64 hours of their accumulated sick leave each fiscal year to care for their ill child, stepchild, foster child, spouse, or parent. No payment of accrued sick leave is allowed upon termination.

Full-time employees earn 18 days per year at 1.5 days per month with 125 days maximum accrual. An employee who is at the maximum accrual may convert the monthly 12-hour sick pay accrual to 3 hours of vacation pay.

Jones County's policies comply with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

Wellness Program

Jones County sponsors a wellness program planned by county employees in various departments. 

Retirement

Retirement Program - IPERS

The Iowa Public Employee Retirement System is a mandatory retirement plan designed to supplement both Social Security and private savings. View current contribution rates on the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System website. There you can also find information for the IPERS pension plan and new members. You can contact IPERS at (800) 622-3849.

Jones County does not provide retirement counseling. Employees are encouraged to contact a retirement specialist at IPERS to discuss your retirement plan.

Deferred Compensation (457)

A deferred compensation plan is offered that provides tax advantages and an additional means in which to save for retirement with an easy payroll deduction. Employees may select from three companies offering deferred compensation. Jones County will match employee contributions up to $50 per month.

Representatives of the three  companies schedule periodic visits to Jones County to meet with employees. Watch your pay envelope for notification of these visits.

Benefits & Insurance

Section 125 Flexible Benefits Plan

For employees working 20 or more hours per week, Jones County offers a flexible benefits plan recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. Employees may set aside a portion of their wages for dependent care and certain medical expenses, prior to calculation of your federal, state, Social Security and Medicare taxes. You may file for reimbursement from your flexible benefit account when you incur applicable expenses. An employee may carry forward up to $500 of unused healthcare funds into the next year. A grace period until March 15 of the next year has been added for dependent care services. 

Information is also available at the WageWorks/Health Equity website.

Insurance Benefits Program

Health Insurance

For full-time employees working 35 or more hours per week, or as required by federal law. Jones County offers a health insurance program through Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Alliance Select Network.

The County pays 95% of the single premium and 85% of the family portion. Rates for coverage beginning July 1, 2023:

The employee share of the health insurance premium reduces their federal, state, Social Security and Medicare tax liabilities through our pre-tax premium plan.

Summary of health plan benefits:

Please refer to the plan document for additional details.

Deductible: $750/$1,500 waived for well child care through age 6. See the preventive care section. Most office services by a network provider are not subject to the deductible, however, co-insurance may apply.

Co-insurance: 20% network providers, 40% non-network providers. See the preventive care section.

Out of pocket maximum: $1,500 per person/$3,000 per family.

Preventive care: The deductible and co-insurance may be waived for qualified preventive care, items, services, and immunizations received from network providers. See the health plan document for additional details. Certain services are subject to limitations.

Pharmacy benefits: For approved medications: $10 co-pay Tier 1, $20 co-pay Tier 2, $45 co-pay Tier 3 medications; $100 co-pay for preferred specialty drugs. $50/$100 annual deductible; however, the deductible may be waived for Tier 1 drugs.

Pharmacy benefits are subject to a $1,000 per person/$2,000 per family out-of-pocket maximum.

Contact the Jones County Auditor's Office for enrollment information. Health insurance plan information is also available at the Wellmark website or by calling (800) 524-9242.

The health insurance plan provided by Jones County meets the basic requirements of the federal Affordable Care Act.

Dental Insurance

For employees working 16 or more hours per week. Wellmark Blue Dental Premium or Blue Dental Basic, family or single plans are available. Premiums are 100% employee paid.

Vision Insurance

For employees working 16 or more hours per week. Delta Vision - Insight Network, family or single plans are available. Premiums are 100% employee paid.

Personal Accident Insurance

For employees covered on the health plan. Benefits include a $35,000 accidental death benefit and $8,750-$17,500 for loss of sight, hearing, speech, hands, feet, or fingers. Reduced benefits (10-50%) are included for covered spouses and children.

Long-Term Disability Insurance

For employees regularly scheduled 35 or more hours per week this benefit provides up to five years of benefit for a qualifying disability after a 90 day waiting period. The income benefit provides 60% of earnings, up to $6,000/month, for up to five years, with a social security offset. The premium is 100% county paid.

Life Insurance

For full-time employees, the county provides a $20,000 term life insurance benefit. The premium is 100% county paid.