Chapter 1.37
CELLULAR PHONE REGULATIONS*

Sections:

1.37.010  Policy.

*  Prior resolution history: Res. 92-89, 5/26/92.

1.37.010 Policy.

The following shall be the policy regarding the use of cellular telephones by county employees and duly appointed volunteers performing county duties and using cellular services provided through the county:

(1)  Elected Officials and Directors of All Departments.

(A)  Shall each be responsible for oversight of his or her department’s compliance with this policy and for maintaining any necessary records;

(B)  Shall determine the eligibility of any and all employees within his or her department for use and possession of a cellular telephone when owned by Chelan County;

(C)  Shall require the participating employees and/or volunteers in his or her department to execute all pertinent documents pursuant to subsections (2) or (3) of this section and shall retain custody of said documents;

(D)  Shall assist the Chelan County auditor in notifying employees and/or volunteers in his or her department of delinquent accounts or inappropriate usage.

(2)  Employees and Duly Appointed Volunteers Using County-Owned Cellular Telephones.

(A)  Acknowledge his/her status as a permanent employee/volunteer;

(B)  Take necessary and reasonable precautions to prevent air time theft and equipment theft;

(C)  Acknowledge that the county-owned phones are for county business. Incidental personal calls are allowable so long as no long distance, roaming or other charges apply. Should such charges apply, the employee shall be responsible to make payment;

(D)  Employees/volunteers assigned county-owned cellular phones are to review each billing for accuracy and propriety and initial the billing statement and billing voucher;

(E)  Obtain his/her supervisor’s initials on the cellular bills and vouchers before they are paid to ensure that the supervisor has reviewed the bill and agrees with the personal use and payment;

(F)  Pay for any and all charges which are determined by the supervisor or the auditor to be the result of personal use of the cellular telephone;

(G)  Abide by the cellular telephone agreement and procedure in its entirety.

(3)  Employees and Duly Appointed Volunteers Who Own Their Own Cellular Telephones.

(A)  Acknowledge his/her status as permanent employee and/or duly appointed volunteer for Chelan County who has been appointed as such either by an elected official or a department director of Chelan County;

(B)  Assume full responsibility for any and all costs associated with cellular telephone service and pay said costs;

(C)  Pay for any installation charges and any equipment needed, which will remain the property of the employee;

(D)  The number of cellular numbers assigned shall be the responsibility of the elected official or department director authorizing the issuance of the cellular service;

(E)  Employee shall sign an agreement authorizing a withholding from his/her payroll check to cover any outstanding bills and a fifty dollar administrative charge if employee is garnished;

(F)  Volunteer organizations shall guarantee member payments with noncounty funds;

(G)  The withholding provisions may not be activated except for billings which remain unpaid for a period in excess of sixty days except on termination of employment by employee;

(H)  Abide by the cellular telephone agreement and procedure in its entirety;

(I)  Shall sign the appropriate forms/agreement with elected official or department director, or his/her designee, to be able to be on the county’s program;

(J)  On an exception basis only, the board of county commissioners may authorize a department head to receive a stipend as outlined in subsection (4) of this section.

(4)  Elected officials who own their own cellular phone may choose a stipend in the amount of fifty dollars per month; provided, that:

(A)  The cellular number is published to the public on their business card;

(B)  The elected official receives no other compensation from the county for cellular calls. (Res. 2007-128, 9/4/07: Res. 97-99, 8/4/97).