COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Columbus City Council met Tuesday evening and passed an amendment to the 2020 salary ordinance allowing the city to adopt a policy on stay-at-home pay. The sole council member who was physically present was at-large member Tom Dell. All others participated and voted by phone.
The measure, put into play in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, allows department heads to determine which personnel are essential and non-essential. Those statuses can be changed depending on circumstances. Essential employees must report to work. Non-essential employees are to stay home but must be available to return to their work stations within two hours.
Most employees of the fire and police departments, the animal care center, Columbus City Utilities, and the public works department will have essential-employee status.
The amendment is in effect for 30 days, after which the mayor determines if it should be extended.
