Newton Employee Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance 

The City of Newton is self-insured with BCBSNC as our third party administrator. We currently have a PPO co-pay plan in which the city pays the premium for all regular full time employees. Dependent coverage is available for purchase. Our dental and vision program is combined with our medical plan with the rates being combined. A prescription drug card is also provided. We offer a parent/child and a family rate for medical/dental coverage. Initial enrollment is effective the first day of the month following 30 consecutive days of employment. Open enrollment is then held each June with a July 1 effective date.

To view Newton's HIPPA Policy, click here.

Premium Pre-taxation.

IRS Section 125 allows you to pretax your premiums. This allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to purchase insurance.

Life Insurance

The city provides and pays for insurance equal to 1 x annual salary as reported once a year not to exceed $100,000. Dependent life insurance may be purchased through payroll deduction.

Short Term/Long Term Disability

The city provides for disability insurance on full time employees which pays 60% of your weekly salary based on the annual salary reported once a year. The disability payments start on 30th calendar day and will be payable for 22 weeks subject to medical review. Premium is paid by employee.

Additional Insurances

The city provides a voluntary contribution plan thru checking account draft for a variety of insurances offered through various vendors. Example plans would be cancer insurance, critical illness insurance, accident insurance, whole life insurance, etc.

Local Gov. Retirement System (includes Death Benefit)

The City of Newton and its employees participate in a retirement plan which employees are required to join. During the time of your employment, the City contributes to your retirement plan. With your paying a share and the City paying a share, the retirement program is highly attractive and better than those of many employers. Funds paid into the retirement system may be returned when an employee leaves his/her job with the City. A Death Benefit is also included in the Retirement Plan. After one year as a contributing member, your beneficiary will receive a death benefit equal to the highest 12 month salary in a row during the 24 months before your death, but no more than $50,000. More information is available at the Human Resources Office.

401K & 457 Plans

The city offers deferred savings plans for those employees who wish to voluntarily participate. The City is required to contribute 5% into sworn law enforcement personnel accounts. For more information, contact the Human Resources Department.

Vacation

As a regular full-time City employee, you may receive at least 80 hours of vacation leave each year. New employees earn vacation but may not use the leave until the completion of six months probationary service. Vacation leave is earned as follows:

If you have.... then you earn the following hours. . . 

Less than 5 years of service 6.666 per month 80 annually
5 to 10 years 8 per month 96 annually
10 to 15 years 10 per month 120 annually
15 to 20 years 12 per month 144 annually
Over 20 years 14 per month 168 annually

Police and Fire shift personnel accrue hours at an equivalent rate.

Maximum accumulation will be 240 hours. Any hours accumulated over the maximum may be converted to sick leave automatically.

You must obtain the approval of your Department Head before taking vacation leave. You should give at least two weeks notice of your wish to use vacation leave. You will be paid for unused vacation leave upon termination of your employment if you have completed your probationary service and have given proper notice of your departure.

Paid Holidays (11)

The City observes eleven (11) official holidays each year as follows:

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King's Birthday
State Observed Easter Holiday
Independence Day
Memorial Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Friday
Christmas (3 days)

Since the City provides a number of 24-hour-a-day services and other services which cannot be interrupted for extended periods of time, certain employees may be required to work on a holiday. Some of these employees will be permitted to take time off at a more convenient date (usually within 120 days of the accrued holiday).  Public safety personnel will be paid.

Sick Leave

As an employee, you earn 8 hours sick leave per month. You may accumulate sick leave from the day you started work, but you may not take a sick leave until you complete the six-month probationary period. To protect you and your family in the event of a serious illness, unused sick leave may be saved without limit.  If you are transferring from another local government, the City may accept up to 240 hours accrued sick leave from your previous governmental employer.  Please check with the Human Resource Department for further information.

The improper use of sick leave by an employee is cause for disciplinary action, including dismissal. Sick leave with pay is a privilege granted by the City, not a right which an employee may demand.

In some instances employees may donate sick leave to other employees when there is a catastrophic illness and fellow employees wish to be of assistance. A copy of this policy may be obtained from the human resources office. 

Credit Union 

As an employee of the City of Newton, you are eligible for the many benefits offered by the Credit Union. More detailed information is available at the Human Resources Office.

Longevity Pay

Longevity checks are based upon your length of service and are payable in December. Those employees who are to receive such funds must still be employed and not working a notice at the time of disbursement. Computation time will be from the last pay date in November in the preceding year to the last pay date in November of the current year.

Longevity pay shall be at the following rates:

A) Part-time employees $25
B) Minimum full-time employees $25
C) 1 to 5 years 1% of annual salary
D) 5 to 10 years 1 1/2% of annual salary
E) 10 to 15 years 2% of annual salary
F) 15 to 20 years 2 1/2% of annual salary
G) Over 20 years 3% of annual salary

Education and Training

The City will help you further your education and training. Financial assistance may be available for courses which will either improve your ability to do your present job or help prepare you for a position with the City which will demand a higher skill or ability level. Special approval is required from the City Manager for participation in this program.

Support for Education

The Board of Aldermen supports education through the participation and involvement of city employees by creating an environment that promotes a higher quality of learning. See the Human Resources Department regarding time contributed or matched for involvement in (1) parent-teacher conferences and school support activities, (2) tutorial programs, (3) guest lecturer, and (4) substitute teaching.

Safety/Wellness Program

The City of Newton offers a comprehensive safety/wellness program. A nurse is on site three days a week, Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Departments hold monthly meetings at which time detailed training and/or education regarding safety and wellness is conducted. OSHA required training is held on site. Employees and covered spouses are given a free physical which includes an executive profile blood panel. 

Fitness Room

Fitness equipment is provided in several locations. The police department, fire department and the recreation center each house a fitness room for employees only.

EAP (Employee Assistance Program)

The City not only cares about you physically, but also mentally. Our EAP provider grants each employee and their eligible dependents up to five free visits per fiscal year. Any extended coverage would be applicable to existing medical coverage.

Civil Leave

If you are summoned to duty either as a juror or witness for the State, notify your supervisor immediately. You will be granted leave with regular pay for the period of service. No charge will be made against your annual leave, and you may keep any juror's pay you receive.