County board defers to department heads on hiring

LEE COUNTY – Lee County Supervisors will continue to allow department heads to replace staff without having to come to the board to post the position.
The discussion was part of the regular board meeting Monday at Lee County offices after department heads have been voicing some frustrations with delays in getting positions filled.
Lee County Treasurer Becky Gaylord said she currently has three positions to fill and, having to come to the board each time, puts additional pressure on the department running short staffed.
Lee County Supervisor Chairman Tom Schulz said the board has been a bit more involved in posting for positions because of ongoing budget constraints. However, current policy is that department heads can search for position replacements prior to coming to the board for payroll approval.
“In the past, we’ve had department heads come to us before they post something for a replacement hiring. And, at times, we’ve said they do not have to,” he said.
“It’s always been a consideration of whether the position was necessary, already budgeted, and a replacement. So do we want them to come to us before advertising for a replacement?”
Chuck Holmes said it gets difficult if the position isn’t in the budget, then someone needs to be let go at some point, and the county faces unemployment filings.
Schulz said the department heads know their budgets and whether the position being replaced is still viable within the department budget.
Lee County Recorder Nancy Booten told the board the issue was the time it takes to get someone on board.
“We have to post it 10 days,” she said.
Supervisor Ginger Knisely said the board meets every week, so it shouldn’t be adding a considerable amount of time to the process.

Gaylord said there are physicals that need to be taken and results received, and then approvals.
“It’s basically a waiting game, depending on when we get on the agenda,” she said.
Holmes said it could also be a little embarrassing getting the people through the process of being hired, and when department heads come to the board for approval to add them to payroll, the board declines the hire.
Schulz said the county should rely on the department heads to stick to their budgets and not overly manage things.
“If we’re so steadfast in our belief that we can’t, I guess that’s the time we express our opinion. The other part is we’ve never said, ‘No’,” he said.
Gaylord said department heads understand their specific budgets and what they can support as far as replacements.
“My thought is department heads know what they need to cut and we all know the situation the county is going through,” she said. “I don’t believe anyone would want to hire somebody knowing they would have to get rid of them the next year or in six months. This just takes longer is the thought.”
Holmes made a motion to leave the policy in place that doesn’t require replacement approval with the understanding that the department heads give new hires scrutiny to the county’s financial picture.
The motion was approved 3-0 with Supervisors Denise Fraise and Garry Seyb absent.
In other action, the board:
• voted 3-0 to approve a county Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) committee to manage county risk assessments across county departments.