Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Personnel Policy Approved By Gurdon Council

Finally, after four months of bickering, Gurdon has a personnel policy all departments have agreed to abide by.

However, the resolution creating a personnel committee did not pass easily nor without comment during the regular monthly meeting of the Gurdon City Council Monday night.

Basically, the resolution follows the hiring practices set by state and federal guidelines, regarding non discrimination and providing all with an equal opportunity for job openings with the city.

The problem, and ensuing arguments, came from section III, which states the mayor shall appoint the personnel committee, with it being approved by a 2/3 vote of the council.

The committee, under the resolution, shall consist of a minimum of three members plus the department manager with the open position.

The committee could be expanded up to seven members, plus the department head, or, in their absence, the acting replacement. However, four votes would be required to make a decision and pass the prospective employee to the next level.

The next step would either be the council or the commission, if the opening is in a department ran by a commission, such as the Gurdon Water and Sewer Department.

Should the committee be unable to reach a decision, the final decision will be up to the council, unless the job is in a department operated under a commission. Then, it would be up to the commission to decide.

However, if the commission were unable to reach an agreement, the final decision on hiring would revert back to the council.

Section IV, paragraph (e) also brought some comments. It states the committee will be responsible for reviewing all applications for employment when a vacancy occurs, and set up interviews with qualified applicants.

In addition, all job openings are to be advertised in a local newspapers a minimum of 10 days prior to filling the position. But, publication is not mandatory if the same job classification has been published within the last 60 calendar days.

Micki Jones had problems dealing with department managers and/or their replacements being members of the panel, saying the wording was confusing.

It was explained the department managers and/or their replacements are not permanent members of the committee, but only serve when there is an opening in their department.

Harold Hurst, manager of the water department, said the commission, which met Thursday and approved this resolution, expected two members from each department to be on the committee, with all being notified when needed.

He also questioned whether or not such a committee violated state law and was informed it does not.

Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith pointed out the personnel committee and resolution are for the purpose of administrative procedure and nothing more. The resolution follows state and federal hiring guidelines, he said.

Glen Hughes informed the council he polled 26 registered voters from his ward, Ward 6, with 92 percent opposing the resolution.

However, Hughes' phone poll was unscientific, as no set procedures were established nor followed.

Smith pointed out the resolution is not in conflict with the law, and the city did get an attorney's opinion on the matter.

"I'm nothing more than a voice for Ward 6," Hughes said.

Phillip Giles said unless those polled had read the attorney's opinion, they were not given all the pertinent information for the poll.

Hughes responded he had explained the situation as best he could.

The council finally voted on the issue, passing it 4-2, with Hughes voting no and Jones abstaining, which amounts to a no vote.

In other business, the council voted to extend the lease on the city's newest police car for another year. By law, municipalities and counties can only lease equipment on a year-to-year basis.

The council also gave Smith permission to apply for a grant through the Rural Development Commission, for a Rural Community Fire Protection Grant.

The city has $15,000 it will use for matching funds on a 50-50 match grant. The money will be used to purchase a truck for a rescue unit in South Clark County, along with buying equipment for the unit as well.

The Clark County Quorum Court approved $10,000 for the project, with the city receiving a grant for $5,000 from the Ross Foundation also.

Gurdon Police officer Chris Harper will be presenting a Smart Choices, Better Chances program in the Gurdon schools. The program operates on different levels for different age groups, going from the elementary level to parent/teacher groups.

This program was established through the Attorney General's office and deals with specific laws.

Harper will also speak to the students on the proper use of the 9-1-1 emergency telephone system, reminding them it is not a game and there is a $250 fine for making false 9-1-1 calls.

He said when a 9-1-1 call comes into the Clark County Sheriff's Office, the name, number and address are flashed on a computer screen, so officers know where the call originated.

Smith suggested, with the council's approval, to use some of the city's 9-1-1 enhancement fund to have a coloring contest for elementary school students, with teachers picking the winners.

Hurst, talking about the rural water project, reminded people applications will be taken until April 1 for the $125 hook up fee.

After April 1, he said, anyone living along the line wanting to be hooked up will have to pay the actual connection costs or $350.

In cases where the line would have to run under a state highway, Hurst said, it could cost a homeowner $1,300 or $1,400, because state approval required.

Smith, in the mayor's report, said the position of administrative assistant was advertised, with some good applicants coming forward. The personnel committee interviewed the applicants and recommended Mary Burns be hired to fill the slot. The board approved her being hired.

Before the meeting adjourned for the night, Jones brought up the problem of dogs running loose in the streets and asked of the GPD couldn't be authorized to shoot them.

Gurdon City Marshal David Childres said the GPD could not shoot the animals without being turned in to the Humane Society and facing legal action itself.

She then asked if the owners could be given tickets.

Smith said no one will claim most loose dogs, adding the problem is county wide, not just in Gurdon.

He suggested talking with the justices of the peace and proposing a county operated dog pound.

Arkadelphia, Smith said, has an animal shelter, but the animal control officer isn't kept busy full time with these duties. It may be possible this officer could visit Gurdon a couple of days a week to help with the problem.

Gurdon, though, cannot afford to construct and operate an animal control shelter because of the requirements involved.

This is a problem Smith has looked