By Mary Drier
Staff Writer
CARO — Former Tuscola County employee, Julie Dillon, is now seeking adjustments to increase her retirement compensation for work she performed about 30 years ago.
According to Dillon when her retirement compensation was calculated, the years she worked “part-time,” which were often more days than a part-time employee, weren’t figured into her retirement benefits.
Dillon, who started working for the county on Jan. 4, 1983, retired as the county’s human resources director, June 30, 2007.
Dillon requested Tuscola County Commissioners review her early employment records and adjust her retirement benefits at the county meeting April 17, and again on Thursday.
Dillon wants to be compensated for vacation time and sick benefits she didn’t receive for working part time from 1983 to 1987. After that date, she was employed with the county full time for 20 years.
“That’s four years and 10 months of benefits I’m not receiving that I worked for. I’m asking for what I have coming to me,” said Dillon at the first meeting. “I worked more than 10 days a month many times when I was part time. MERS (Municipal Employees’ Retirement System) considers working 10 days a month qualifies me for those benefits. At times, I worked 20 days in a month.”
Commissioners pointed out the county work policies are different than MERS so the comparison isn’t the same.
“I’ve checked. I can file an unfair labor practice or discrimination (lawsuit),” Dillon stated.
Commissioner Roger Allen suggested she do that, and commission Chair Thom Bardwell supported Allen in letting the lawyers work the issue out.
“We have to follow the advice of our legal counsel not to pay,” said Bardwell. “I understand that we don’t agree.”
At each of her appearances before the commissioners, they referred Dillon to their attorney’s opinion not to pay.
“It is extremely difficult to understand why would not make your claims during your final 20 years of employment and then take an additional seven years after your retirement before contacting the county,” said county Attorney Robert Kendrick in a letter to Dillon. “Regardless, the Tuscola County Employee Handbook clearly states that it does not constitute a contract of employment, and I have informed county officials that your allegations concerning the county’s failure to provide benefits do not raise to the level of a legal claim.
“Unfortunately, Tuscola County must reject your claims for monies based on your prior employment.”
The date on Kendrick’s letter to Dillon is March 7. Another copy of the lawyer’s letter was given to her Thursday.
According to Dillon, she has researched to matter on her own and contacted lawyers who support her assertion there is no time limit in being able to make a claim like she is doing.
“I’ve found there are at least four other (former) employees who had situations as mine and got their back money. There is no statute of limitations,” said Dillon. “I feel I have it coming.”
Dillon had worked beside some of the board and staff members at the meeting before retiring.
“Don’t you care about me?” she questioned.
“We do care about you Julie, but we have to follow our attorney’s advice. You of all people should understand,” said Bardwell.
When the board asked her why she was pursing the claim at this juncture, Dillon replied, “I need the money.”
Allen interrupted the discussion stating the 3-minute time limit for brief public comment had been reached.
“I hope to God this never happens to you,” said Dillon who was involved in a serious car accident and has had major health issues as well since retirement.
Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.