MARQUETTE -- The Marquette County Board of Commissioners passed a motion Tuesday night to adopt a policy that allows county employees to transfer their benefit plans.

The policy comes from a recommendation from the Municipal Employees Retirement System (MERS) and will allow current employees in the direct benefits program to transfer to a better benefits program and keep their years accrued.
    
The policy does not apply to new hires.
    
Commissioners were not totally in agreement with passing the motion as an employee transferring to a better benefit program means more money from the county.  However, some saw denying the policy as punishing employees who transfer to a new position.

"They took these transfers thinking they were going to keep their defined benefit they've always had, so you can call it a punishment or not, but it is to them if you don't allow this to happen now," said Commissioner Deborah Pellow.

The next Marquette County Board Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for April 12.