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".

Allowable Reimbursement Costs

Examples

Class 1 Electric Bikes

- Low speed pedal-assisted electric bike up to 20 mph, power up to 750 watts

E-Bike Classes	Covered Under the Benefit?	Description	Top Speed (Assisted)	Max Power
Class 1	Yes	Low speed pedal-assisted electric bike	20 mph	750 watts
Class 2	No	Low speed throttle-assisted electric bike	20 mph	750 watts
Class 3	No	Speed pedal-assisted electric bike	28 mph	750 watts

Entry, Registration, Participation, and League Fees

Fees for participation in group, team, or league sporting activities
Softball League
Golf League
Foot Race Entry Fees (5k,10k, Marathon, Sonoma County Human Race, etc.)
Bicycle Race Entry Fees (Le Tour de Fuzz, Sonoma County Backroad Challenge, etc.)

Note: Only individual employee participant fees are eligible. Does not include team, group, family, or couple fees.

Fitness Classes

Physical fitness / exercise classes, certified trainers
Yoga
Pilates
Zumba
Boot Camp
Tai Chi
Indoor Group Cycling
Swim Fees

Note: Travel, lodging, and food are not reimbursable under Wellness (e.g. health, wellness, and fitness retreats)

Health and Wellness Promotion & Education

Classes and educational programs with primary focus to improve health and wellness.
Wellness workshops, on-line training
Includes meditation, massage, and acupuncture

Note: Travel, lodging, and food are not reimbursable under Wellness (e.g. health, wellness, and fitness retreats)

Health Club Membership

Offsite health clubs
Health club physical fitness/exercise classes

Park Passes

Annual cost for an individual park pass

Note: ESC, SCDPDAA, SCPA, & SEIU receive 1 free pass annually

Personal Training

Strength training
Pilates reformer training
Personal training
Suspension System training
Fitness Assessments

Physical Fitness Products and Equipment

Sporting and exercise equipment, athletic safety and protective gear, athletic shoes, weights, protective fitness gloves, exercise mats
Fitness trackers (Smart Watch, Oura Ring, Fitbits)
Reusable water bottles, & CamelBaks

Note: Excludes clothing, fitness apparel, and uniforms, non-athletic shoes such as wedges,
slippers, high heels, etc.

Recreational Classes and Sport Lessons

Personal training and individual coaching
Tennis
Golf
Karate
Ice Skating
Dance classes

Note: Excludes camping and fishing equipment and expenses

Smoking Cessation Programs

Smoking cessation programs
Patches
Stress reduction programs

Weight Reduction Programs

Exercise programs
Diet management programs (Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, etc.)
Stress reduction programs
Nutrition Classes
Healthy eating and cooking classes to support health related goals
Weight loss coaching
Weight Scales

Note: Excludes: food, food preparation equipment, food & nutritional supplements, medications, and residential dietary/weight loss programs.

Notes

¹Group definitions include the following bargaining units:

Group 1: ESC (75), SCLEA (30,40,41,70), SCPA (45), SCPDIA (55,56), SCPDAA (60), WCE (21)
Group 2: Local 39 (85)

Examples of Non-Allowable Costs for Reimbursement

The Non-Allowable Expenses page 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@sonomacounty.gov for clarification of these exclusions and reimbursable expenses before incurring the expense.

View Non-Allowable Expenses »