§ 18-135. Sick and vacation leave pay upon retirement without separation under the deferred retirement option plan (DROP).

(a)

Sick leave.

(1)

Officers and employees who participated in DROP who maintain continuous city employment following the end of the DROP, shall accrue sick leave hours in accordance with section 18-132, including application of the maximum accrual limitations, in the same manner as a regular employee. During this period, accumulated sick leave may be converted into vacation leave if used immediately upon conversion.

(2)

Upon final separation due to retirement or death, a member who has participated in the DROP shall be paid one-half of his or her accrued and unused sick leave. Upon separation for any other reason, the officer or employee shall be paid for sick leave in accordance with subsection 18-134(a)(1).

(b)

Vacation leave.

(1)

For any period of continuous city employment following the end of the DROP, the officer or employee shall continue to accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with subsection 18-132(b) in the same manner as a regular officer or employee. Upon final separation from city employment, the officer or employee shall be paid, in accordance with section 18-134 for unused vacation leave hours that accrued after the officer's or employee's declaration of retirement without separation from employment.

(2)

If the officer or employee continues employment after participation in the DROP, the calculation of a bridged pension benefit earned during the continuous employment after the DROP exit shall include any accrued vacation leave payoff received by the officer or employee at termination of employment.

(Ord. No. 634-09, § 3, 11-2-09)