On July 13 the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners unanimously approved a retirement incentive plan for county employees with at least 30 years of service. The plan was devised in light of the dire financial situation for fiscal year 2011 and is part of ongoing efforts to reduce staff.

Eligible employees must have 30 years in the Maryland State Retirement System and will have to retire between October 1, 2010 and February 1, 2011. Letters will be going out to the 21 eligible employees this week and participation is strictly voluntary.

Employees who select this option will be eligible to receive three years of county paid health insurance and the cash value of the greater of 50 percent of their annual salary or 50 percent of their accrued sick leave. Two lump sum payments will be made in December 2010 and January 2011.

Employees participating in the incentive plan will not be replaced although some reorganizing or restructuring may be necessary in order to continue the smooth function of the impacted departments.