Wellness and Physical Fitness

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Tax Treatment: Taxable
Applies to: Groups 1, 2¹

In support of the Board of Supervisors initiative to be the healthiest County in California, the County provides this annual allowance which can be used towards a variety of options which promote physical activity, wellness and work-life balance. The goal is to provide County employees as many options and as much flexibility as possible to find a physical activity which promotes aerobic exercise, flexibility, and/or strength training.

In support of the County’s Strategic Plan to invest in the local economy and to promote “LIVE-WORK-PLAY SONOMA,” County employees have access to a wide variety of activities, services, equipment and products within Sonoma County and are encouraged to "Buy Local".

Notes

¹Group definitions include the following bargaining units:

• Group 1: ESC (75), SCLEA (30,40,41,70), SCPA (45), SCPDIA (55,56), SCPDAA (60), SEIU² (01,05,10,25), WCE (21)
• Group 2: Local 39 (85)
• Group 3: Salary Resolution (00,49,50,51,52)

²SEIU MOU allows staff development reimbursement through 6/30/2025

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Examples of Non-Allowable Costs for Reimbursement

The following provides a list of exclusion examples. This list is not all inclusive, and the County reserves the right to exclude any expense which may not conform to the intent for the use of County funds or resources. Employees are encouraged to seek guidance from the Department of Human Resources at StaffDev@sonoma-county.org for clarification of these exclusions and reimbursable expenses before incurring the expense.

• Apparel, clothing, and uniforms
• Backpacks, backpacking tents and other related products
• Baths such as enzyme baths, mud baths, and other similar services
• Coolers
• Credit card statement payments
• Electric and motorized vehicles (e.g. boats, electric scooters, electric skateboards, electric hoverboards, golf carts)
• Electric Class 2 and Class 3 bikes
• Eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and other similar products
• Financed amounts or installment agreements for purchased goods (Only the monthly installment bill with proof of payment is eligible for reimbursement)
• Food, food and nutritional supplements (e.g. whey protein, probiotics, Vitamin B12, fish oil and other similar supplements), food preparation equipment
• Gift cards, gift certificates, in-store credits – purchases paid using these and other similar forms of payment cannot be reimbursed
• Homeopathic medicine and similar items (e.g. cannabis, CBD, and other remedies made from natural sources)
• Hunting, fishing, and camping expenses
• Hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, diffusers and other similar services and products
• Installation costs
• Interest costs on leases, lease purchases, loans, etc. for purchased goods
• Loans and loan fees
• Lockers and locks
• Magazine subscriptions, newspapers, periodicals, or journals of general circulation, such as Time, Newsweek, Press Democrat, Wall Street Journal, etc.
• Maintenance costs
• Medical equipment and supplies, medicine, medical treatment, medical services and similar expenses which are not medically necessary and would not otherwise be covered through a County-offered health plan or which may be FSA eligible
• Parts replacement, add-on parts
• Personal grooming services, such as facials, manicures, pedicures, Botox injections, or other cosmetic enhancements.
• Personal living furniture (e.g. reclining chairs, armchairs, massage chairs, dining tables, side tables, coffee tables, lighting fixtures, beds, mattresses, massage chairs and vibrating chairs)
• Provisions for pets or animals, including animal boarding
• Psychotherapy
• Rental fees associated with storage
• Repair costs
• Residential programs
• Retreats that include travel, lodging, and food
• Service, maintenance agreements, and warranties
• Swimming pools, spas, saunas, hydrotherapy pools, or other similar items
• Team fees (only the individual’s fee to participate on team is covered)
• Temporary living structures such as tents or trailers