LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday gave approval to an agreement with Marymount California University that would allow county employees to take classes at reduced rates.
In addition, the board voted for a policy to give scholarships to employees pursuing professional development classes at the university, which is opening its doors to students this fall at its new campus, located at the historic Lucerne Hotel.
County Administrative Officer Matt Perry presented the memorandum of understanding and the policy to the supervisors at the Tuesday morning meeting.
He said the county has a strong interest in seeing Marymount succeed, noting the county has made a large investment in the college property. “We’d like to continue our investment and receive some benefit.”
The county’s workforce also can benefit from the coursework that will be available at Marymount, he said.
Marymount currently is in the process of receiving accreditation for the campus. Once the university receives its accreditation, employees can apply for and receive course credits, he said.
County employees will be able to take courses at the noncredit rate of $250 per unit, and they can use those units in pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees, he said.
Perry said Marymount is working to develop business, law enforcement and health courses to meet the needs of local employers.
“The only responsibility of the county is that we would help recruit students to attend the university,” he said of the requirements listed in the agreement.
Perry said he’s not identified any costs to the county that would result from the agreement. If future costs do arise, he said the document gives him the authority to amend it.
He also presented a policy to provide scholarships to county employees to attend Marymount.
This new policy would not replace a policy implemented several years ago for tuition reimbursement for county employees, Perry said.
He said the scholarship policy would pay $250 per unit, up to $750, and would require an application and review process.
Perry said he had some money put aside in the general fund and also planned to ask various departments to identify funds to help support the scholarship.
The policy would require employees to pay for books and fees, and to take courses on their own time, Perry said.
In addition, it would require that employees continue working for the county for a specific period of time – six weeks per unit – or else reimburse the county for the scholarship, Perry said.
The board was unanimous in its support.
“I think this is a great program,” said Supervisor Rob Brown, adding that it’s a great benefit to employees.
Supervisor Denise Rushing moved to approve both the memorandum of understanding and the policy, with both receiving 5-0 votes.
Board Chair Jeff Smith said the agreement and policy were an excellent way to help Marymount hit the ground running.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
