ONTONAGON — The County Board approved a stricter drug and alcohol policy for the Public Transit Department.

The Michigan Department of Transportation provided the policy which will take effect May 1. The new rules undo a “second-chance” policy that had been on the books, making it possible for workers to be terminated for testing positive for alcohol or illegal drugs, or refusing to take a required test.

“All transit employees are required to have 60 minutes training on the effects and consequences of prohibited drug use,” transit Director Vicki White wrote in a March 21 memo presented to the board with the new policy. “This session is followed by a discussion of the drug and alcohol testing document. All employees will receive a copy of the updated policy and sign a receipt indicating hey have received it. Melissa Walters and I have had the supervisor’s training which is required to make reasonable suspicion determinations.”

In related news, the board approved cash advances to two transit employees to attend the Passenger Service and Safety Trainer Certification Program in Marquette next month: Walters will receive $326 and Tammy Penegor will get $286 out of funds available for the training.