Employee Benefits

Vacation Leave by Years of Service

5 years of service or less - 130 hours/year

6-10 years of service - 156 hours

11+ years of service - 182 hours

• Maximum balance of 400 hours; excess hours at end of calendar year will be applied to sick leave
• EMS shift work employees and part-time employees accrue vacation hours on a pro-rated basis
• Employees who leave employment are paid their accrued vacation balances (maximum 400 hours)

Vacation Award (Non-use of Sick Leave)

Employees receive an additional day of vacation for every six consecutive months of non-use of sick leave hours.

Paid Holidays

Employees receive the following 12 paid holidays each calendar year: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. One or more personal days each year may also be approved by the Board of County Commissioners.

Sick Leave

Personal Sick Leave
Sick leave hours are accrued at a rate of .05 hours for every hour worked up to 80 hours for regular employees, and up to 112 hours for EMS employees working a 24/48 schedule.

Family Sick Leave

Sick leave may be used to cover illness, injury or wellness checkups (i.e. annual physicals, dental check-ups, etc.) for an employee’s “immediate” family up to a maximum of eighty (80) hours during a payroll calendar year.

Employees with a minimum of five years continuous service, who leave County employment and qualify to receive payment of unused sick leave credits, may be paid a percentage of their existing sick leave balance up to a lifetime maximum of 500 hours. Payouts begin at 30% for five years of service and increase at 2% increments, for each additional year, with a maximum of 50% for 15+ years of service.

Sick Leave Bank (Donated Hours)

The member may receive up to a lifetime maximum of one week’s pay (based on average hours worked) for each year of service completed as of the date of their eligibility for Sick Leave Bank benefits.

Professional Leave

Employees are allowed to use sick, vacation or compensatory time to attend to personal medical-related appointments.

Bereavement Leave

Probationary and regular employees who have a death in their “immediate” family qualify for up to three scheduled work days of leave not chargeable to any accrued leave balance (i.e. sick, vacation, etc.).

Military Leave

Employees who are commissioned reserve officers or reserve enlisted personnel in the United States military or naval service, or a member of the National Guard, are entitled to military leave for all days during which they are ordered to active duty or inactive duty for training up to a max of 240 hours

Suggestion Awards Program

Employees may submit suggestions for savings and potentially qualify to receive:

• $5,000 for $50,001+ in annual savings
• $1,000 for $10,001-50,000 in annual savings
• $750 for $5,001-10,000 in annual savings
• $100 for up to $5,000 in annual savings
• 1-3 days vacation for process improvements

Manatee County contributes to the Florida Retirement System (FRS) on behalf of all employees in regular full-time and part-time positions. Effective July 1, 2011, the employee contributes 3% of their earnings on a pre-tax basis. Employees may select either the Pension Plan option or the Investment Plan option.

Pension Plan

Hired prior to July 1, 2011: Full Benefits are payable after reaching retirement age of 62 and vesting with six years of service or completing 30 years of service regardless of age at retirement. (Special Risk: is age 55 with six years of service or completing 25 years of service regardless of age at retirement).

Hired on or after July 2011: Full Benefits are payable after reaching retirement age of 65 and vesting eight years of service or completing 33 years of service regardless of age at retirement. (Special Risk: is age 55 with six years of service or completing 25 years of service regardless of age at retirement).

Investment Plan

Benefits are portable after vesting with one year of service. Upon leaving FRS employment, payment options include lump-sum payout, rollover into another qualified plan or IRA, fixed annuity or periodic distribution.

Health Insurance Subsidy (H.I.S)

Upon retirement, employees who have acceptable health coverage may apply for an insurance subsidy from FRS of $7.50 monthly for each year of FRS creditable service (maximum of $225 monthly for up to 30 years of service.)

Special Pay Plan

Under IRS Code 401(a), eligible retiring employees permanently avoid all Medicare and Social Security taxes for accumulated sick, vacation and comp time.

Dental & Vision Insurance

Manatee County provides employees with the option to purchase group dental and/or vision insurance with pre-tax dollars.

Health and Prescription Insurance

Through the Manatee YourChoice Health Plan, employees are provided access to affordable medical and prescription drug coverage, including child preventative dental covered at 100% and $5.00 generic medications.
Manatee County pays 88% of employee-only premium ($7,302.48 annually) and 80% of Family Coverage ($19,512.96 annually).

Life Insurance

Manatee County provides 1x annual base salary in Core life insurance that is inclusive of Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage. Additional Life Insurance can be elected for employees, spouses and children. Evidence of Insurability is required unless elected at time of hire.  An employee can elect up to 6x base annual salary with a maximum coverage volume of $750,000.

Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance

Manatee County provides Long Term Disability coverage to its employees at 50% of base monthly salary up to $3,000/month after a 90-day waiting period. Option to increase to 66.67% of base salary up to $5,000/month through a small payroll deduction.  Short-term Disability Insurance can be purchased for 60% of weekly salary up to $1,000/week after a 13-day waiting period.

Pre-Tax Payroll Deduction

Under Section 125 of the IRS Code, deductions for Medical, Dental and Vision premiums may be taken out prior to income being taxed.

Award-Winning Health Plan

Manatee County provides a generous health plan for employees that has won regional and national awards for its focus on preventative and evidence-based care at a low cost to the employee.

Flexible Spending Account

Manatee Count provides both Health Care and Dependent Day Care Spending Accounts that provide pre-tax savings.

LAMP-Manatee County’s Employee Assistance Program-Onsite and in the Community

LAMP counselors are available to assist employees and their families with personal issues including emotional, substance abuse, marital and financial. 5 free visits annually for each employee and covered family member.

Wellbeing Benefits

Onsite Health Advocates and wellbeing programs are available to all employees and their families designed to help them reach their full potential personally and professionally by assisting them in their path to good health. Services include Wellness/Health Coaches, onsite fitness center, personal training, Nurses, Pharmacists, Dietitians, group fitness classes, stress management and nutrition classes. Participation and outcome in some programs allow employees opportunities to earn financial incentives.

Tuition Reimbursement

The County pays 80% of USF prevailing rates towards a degree course related to Employee’s current position. Reimbursement requires a grade of “C” (or “pass” in pass/fail courses).

Miscellaneous Benefits

Worker’s Compensation, Credit Union Membership, Direct Deposit, Training/Seminars, Premium Pay Differentials, Area Attraction Discounts.

Annual Salary*: $38,000.00

• FICA Tax Salary x 7.65%: $2,907.00
• Retirement x 10%: $3,800.00
• Employee Medical Coverage: $7,021.68
• Benefits Insurance Administration Fee: $96.00
• Life Insurance (based on salary): $96.72
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment: $14.30
• Long Term Disability (based on salary): $41.08
  

Total Compensation: $51,976.78

*Average annual salary