By Erin Jordan
The Gazette
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Correctional services employees in three districts, including the Cedar Rapids-based Sixth District, claimed up to a week more vacation a year than they were entitled to under state law, the State Auditor’s Office reported.
Three of eight correctional services districts accrued vacation at rates higher than other state employees, resulting in more than $1 million in vacation and sick leave accruals and payments in fiscal years 2010 through 2014, according to a 38-page audit released Wednesday.
“Because district employees participate in SLIP (Sick Leave Insurance Program), they are considered state employees for these benefits and, therefore, the districts should comply with the accrual rates and the maximum vacation accrual established in section 70A.1 of the Code,” the report states.
Sixth District Director Bruce VanderSanden cut vacation and sick accrual to the same rate as other state employees in May 2014, he said Wednesday.
“What they’re saying is that if you’re going to use the insurance program, you should abide by the accrual rates, and I think that’s a valid point,” he said.
Full story: Some Iowa correctional services districts got too much vacation, audit shows