HomeMy WebLinkAboutD-2204-15 Amend 2-58 Tuition Reimbursement - Sponsors: Councilors Finkam, Snyder and Carter
Ordinance D-2204-15
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL,
INDIANA AMENDING CHAPTER 2,ARTICLE 3,DIVISION II,
SECTION 2-58 OF THE CARMEL CITY CODE
WHEREAS, the City of Carmel offers its employees a generous and varied benefits
program; and
WHEREAS, the Carmel Common Council has codified in City Code Section 2-58 a
program to provide tuition reimbursement for employees who wish to enhance their career
prospects and provide more value to the City; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend employee benefit programs from time to time to
recognize changing priorities of the City and its employees, to maintain an appropriate balance
of benefits within budgetary constraints and to ensure consistency with ratified union
agreements;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED AND ORDAINED by the Common Council of
the City of Carmel, Indiana, as follows:
Section 1. The foregoing Recitals are incorporated herein by this reference.
Section 2. Chapter 2, Article 3, Division II, § 2-58 is amended to read as follows:
§ 2-58 Tuition Reimbursement.
(a) A tuition reimbursement program is established for full-time City employees who:
(1) Are employed by the City both one year prior to the beginning of the course for which
tuition reimbursement is requested and at the time the final request for reimbursement is made.
(2) Have been subject to no disciplinary probation, demotion or suspension within the 90
days prior to the beginning date of the course for which tuition reimbursement is requested.
(b) The City offers tuition reimbursement for:
(1) Courses offered through a degree-granting institution that is accredited by the Higher
Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools or an equivalent
regional accreditor, as recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council
on Higher Education Accreditation.
(2) No more than two courses in progress at any given time.
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Sponsors: Councilors Finkam, Snyder and Carter
(3) Courses that will maintain or improve job related skills, and are related to an
employee's current position or potential career path within the City of Carmel. The employee's
director shall initially determine whether an employee is eligible for tuition reimbursement and
whether a particular course is job-related, subject to final approval by the Director of Human
Resources.
(c) The City will not provide reimbursement for courses that:
(1) Are intended primarily to help participants study for an exam or "test out" of an
educational requirement, or to enable students to receive credit for life experience or previous
educational activities; or
(2) Will be paid or reimbursed by any other source, including,but not limited to,
scholarships, grants or tuition assistance programs offered by other civilian or military
employers.
(d) Terms of tuition reimbursement are as follows:
(1) The employee must submit a separate application form for each course for which
reimbursement is requested, which application must be approved by the City before the course
commences.
(2) Tuition reimbursement will be made after the course is completed and a grade received.
(3) Reimbursement amounts shall be:
a) Eighty percent (80%) of the full cost of the course for a final grade no lower than
b) Fifty percent (50%) of the full cost of the course for a final grade no higher than
`C+" and no lower than"C-" or"Pass" in a Pass/Fail course;
c) No reimbursement for a final grade lower than "C-"or a "Fail,"regardless of
circumstances;
d) No reimbursement for an "Incomplete" (until the coursework is complete) or for a
Withdrawal, regardless of circumstances; and
e) No reimbursement for audited courses.
(4) Tuition reimbursement applies to the course tuition and book fees only. Supplies, lab
fees, student activity charges,parking fees and all other fees and costs do not qualify for
reimbursement.
(5) Combined tuition reimbursement payments for courses ending in any given year shall
not exceed $6,500.00 per employee.
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Sponsors: Councilors Finkam, Snyder and Carter
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(e) program requirements Other ro uirements include:
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(1) No provision of the program authorizes an employee to enroll in a course that meets or
that will require travel time during the employee's regular scheduled work hours. Employees are
expected to schedule courses that meet outside of work hours.
(2) Any employee who is reimbursed for tuition under this policy is expected to remain with
the City as a full-time employee for a minimum of one year after final reimbursement is made.
To the extent permitted by law, an employee who fails to do so shall be required to refund the
money paid by the City for each course completed less than a year before full=time employment
terminates. The repayment requirement will be waived if the employee is unable to work for
health reasons or if the City terminates employment for reasons unrelated to performance.
(3) The employee is responsible for paying all taxes due on tuition reimbursement benefits.
Any reimbursement in excess of the maximum amount established by federal law shall be
reported on the employee's W-2 form as taxable income.
Section 3. All prior City ordinances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with any
provision of this Ordinance are hereby repealed as of the effective date of this Ordinance...
Section 4. If any portion of this Ordinance is for any reason declared unconstitutional,
invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
Section 5. This Ordinance shall be in full force aii'4 effect from and,after the date-of its
passage, execution by the Mayor and such publication as is required by law.
PASSED by the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana; this -) (2 day,of
2015, by a vote of 7 ayes and 0 nays.
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- Sponsors: Councilors Finkam, Snyder and Carter
COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE CI Y OF CARM •
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Presidi Oficer evin D. Rider
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Richard L. harp, Pres'-Q ent Pro Tempore Carol Schleif %
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Ronald E. Carter W. Eric Seide sticker
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S5inkam ci Sn ier�
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Diana L. Cordray, IAMC, Clerk-Trealrer
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of Carmel, Indiana this 11 day of
'n0-k e 2015, at 10.'101 Pt- .M.
10(44Abo: 4 ",
Diana L. Cordray, IAMC, Clerk-Treasurer
Approved b me, Mayor of the City of Carmel, Indiana, this / ay of
rlioF c 2015, at /(' 3° A.M. alef-14'6°4—ci
Ja es Brainard, Mayor
ATTEST:
V / ,, I, J ,
Diana L. Cordray, IAMC, Clerk-Trea•i,rer
Prepared by: Barbara A.Lamb,Director of Human Resources
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