Consideration and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-19:  An ordinance amending the Flagstaff City Code, Chapter 1-14, Personnel System, by amending the City of Flagstaff Employee Handbook of Regulations, Section 1-50-051, Parental Leave.
 

1. Read Ordinance No. 2026-19 by title only for the final time
2. City Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2026-19 by title only (if approved above)
3. Adopt Ordinance No. 2026-19

The proposed amendments to the Employee Handbook of Regulations, Section 1-50-051, Parental Leave, include a revision in title name from Parental Leave to Paid Parental Leave (PPL) and throughout the section's text; expansion of Paid Parental Leave from four (4) weeks to six (6) weeks to align with the adoption of the FY2026-2027 budget; and adding clarifying text to align with current practices in that PPL shall run concurrent with Family Medical Leave (when an employee qualifies), an employee must be continuously employed for six (6) months with the City prior to qualifying for PPL, and the Event must occur while employed. In addition, text has been added to specify that an employee may qualify for PPL once every 12 months from the date of the last Event and PPL must be used prior to other leaves being used if an employee is off of work for parental leave reasons.

The expansion of paid parental leave from four to six weeks has been included in the approved FY2027 budget at $157,000 per year to cover any potential backfill and overtime expenses. 

The amendments provide clearer guidance regarding Paid Parental Leave and expand available paid leave from four (4) to six (6) weeks.

None regarding these amendments.  Proposed changes have been discussed with EAC and the City of Flagstaff Leadership Team.

Not approve the proposed amendments and operate under the current policy or direct staff to propose alternative amendments.

High Performance Governance.

None

None

None

Supports employee recruitment and retention efforts by expanding this leave benefit.