Mountain View County councillors are expected to consider a new employee and council fitness policy and procedure at this week's council meeting.
During last week's policies and priorities meeting, councillors were given an overview of policy and procedure #2006-001, which if passed would replace the existing 2003 policy.
Under the new policy and procedure, which was developed by a working group of employees under the direction of a senior management team, employees could be reimbursed up to 50 per cent of the cost of approved fitness programs, up to a maximum of $500 per employee/councillor per year.
All programs and expenses would have to be approved by department directors. The policy and procedure would apply to full-time staff and council members only.
If all staff members and councillors eligible for the subsidy took advantage of the policy to a maximum amount of $500, the cost to the county would be approximately $54,000, council heard.
Initiatives acceptable under the policy and procedure would include gym and health club memberships, fees for organized sport leagues, fitness groups and clubs, user fees associated with regular and sustained use of health and fitness facilities or activities such as swimming and skiing, and fitness-related equipment.
It would not cover the reimbursement of costs for weapons, ammunition or fishing rods.
Any unused amount of the annual reimbursement not used in a calendar year would lapse and not be carried over into the following year.
The policy is being put in place to promote healthy employees and council members, says CAO Tony Martens.
"The county desires to encourage and assist their employees and council in implementing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle,î the policy reads.
"A healthy lifestyle benefits the county by reducing health issues and illnesses and improved workforce satisfaction and engagement.î
During last week's policies and priorities meeting, councillors passed a motion forwarding the matter to this week's council meeting.
