Program to recognize outstanding employee performance

(A) Subject to division (B) of this section, upon notifying the board of county commissioners, any appointing authority of a county office, department, commission, board, or body, or of a common pleas court, county court, or county-operated municipal court as defined in section 1901.03 of the Revised Code, may establish a program to recognize outstanding employee performance. The program may include, but is not limited to, cash awards, additional paid leave, or other additional benefits as the appointing authority considers appropriate. (B)(1) The costs of the program shall not exceed the total amount of compensation fixed by the board of county commissioners for the office, department, commission, board, or body or for the common pleas court, county court, or county-operated municipal court. (2) Unless authorized in writing by the board of county commissioners, the total amount of cash awards shall not exceed, per employee in any calendar year, ten per cent of the compensation the employee receives that calendar year.