Commissioners vote 2-1 to ax employee policy board

Despite an appeal from most of Morgan County's elected officials to protect a Wage & Review Board for county employees, the Morgan County Commissioners voted 2-1 to dissolve the board on December 10.

Commissioner Tommy Swaim voted against the move, saying he wanted to see the board function if the county employees were in favor of keeping it.

Commissioner Stacy Dugan called for the board's end, arguing that it hasn't met in a year and doesn't serve its intended function.

By state law, a county can establish a Wage & Review Board to set a county pay scale, write personnel policies and set rules about vacation and sick leave. The board can also write rules about how employee grievances are handled by county officials.

Morgan County's board has been in place since 1987.

In addition to elected officials, the board has several employee representatives.

Circuit Clerk Kim Jackson asked why the commissioners wanted to get rid of the board.

"It's the employees' only voice," Jackson said.

Assessor Ronnie McIntire also supported keeping the board.

"Employees feel like they have someone they can go to," he said.

"I think it will cause problems with employees who will think you're messing with their pay," said Sheriff Vince Shambaugh.

Dugan repeated that the board hadn't met in the year she has been commissioner. She also sits on the board.

"We usually have meetings if there are issues," said employee rep Kathy Payne.

"If it's not hindering anything, why do away with it?" asked Jackson.

"There are several things they have been responsible for and they didn't do it," said Dugan.

She specifically referred to the preparation of an employee handbook, which the commissioners undertook.

"Back when we wanted to make changes to the employee handbook, we couldn't get everyone together to get it done. If we're going to have a board, let it function," said Swaim.

Commissioner Brenda Hutchinson said she and the other commissioners could put personnel policies in place if they didn't have to go through the Wage & Review Board first.

"If you say you want it and it functions properly, I'm all for it," Swaim said.

Prosecutor Debra McLaughlin suggested that a revamped board could operate if the commissioners would be clear about the board's functions.

Hutchinson seconded Dugan's motion to dissolve the board, against Swaim's no vote.

Asked how the board could be re-established, Hutchinson said the county's elected officials would have to petition the commissioners to put it in place and prove that it would meet regularly under established bylaws.