Sanford, N.C. — The Lee County Board of Commissioners has approved a new reduction-in-force policy allowing the county to review specific jobs and eliminate positions, County Manager John Crumpton said.

The county’s previous policy stated that all staff reductions were to be done according to a point system.

“The point system would not work for us in this situation,” Crumpton said in an e-mail to WRAL News.

Earlier this month, Crumpton recommended the county cut jobs and eliminate unfilled positions in order to reach a goal of reducing staff by 10 percent.

The board on Monday also approved a retirement incentive package that gives retirement-eligible employees until April 15 to notify human resources of their intentions.

“After April 15, we will evaluate the situation and then make a recommendation on whether or not a further reduction in force is needed,” Crumpton said.