The Knox Board of Public Works approved a change in the drug testing policy for employees.
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers explained that the policy is outdated. The current policy requires all employees to be drug tested when the state only requires employees with a CDL to be tested. The requirement for all employees to be tested takes time away from their daily duties and the mayor suggested that it’s “overkill”.
Mayor Chambers suggested to the board that an ordinance be drawn up by City Attorney David Matsey that requires prospective employees be drug tested and those with a CDL to be randomly drug tested throughout the year.
If the wastewater superintendent, street superintendent or water superintendent has reason to believe that an employee may be under the influence, that supervisor can order the employee to submit to a drug test. If an employee is involved in an accident in a city-issued vehicle while on the job, a drug test would be required as it is standard operating procedure.
