A. An employee may receive up to three (3) months leave without pay if the city manager approves it. Such leave shall only be granted after an employee has exhausted annual leave and any other available leave that will cover the intended purpose of the leave without pay. The granting of such leave is within the sole and exclusive discretion of the city manager. It shall not be granted if the employee’s absence will hamper provision of city services or operations.

B. An employee shall request leave without pay provided for in this section in writing at least three (3) months before the employee’s leave would commence. The request shall be made to the city manager. The time frame for requesting leave without pay under this section may be waived by the city manager, in their sole discretion.

C. During the employee’s leave without pay, the vacant position may be filled by a substitute appointment, temporary promotion, temporary re-assignment or temporary employee. Upon expiration of the approved leave, the employee shall be reinstated to the same position they previously filled.

Sick leave and annual leave benefits shall not accrue during an absence of leave without pay provided under this section; nor will the city make any contributions during that period for retirement, health, dental, or life insurance benefits. However, the employee may elect to continue health or dental insurance during the period of leave without pay provided under this section if the employee deposits with the city the amounts necessary to cover the total cost of premiums. [Ord. 05-15 § 2; Ord. 96-10 § 9 [3.1512].]