Newcastle County hires Blackwell HR for comprehensive audit on employment services

The New Castle County Personnel Subcommittee convened on June 17, 2025, to address critical issues within the county's human resources (HR) functions. The meeting featured a presentation from Blackwell HR Solutions, which was engaged to conduct a comprehensive audit of the county's HR practices.

The session began with introductions from key personnel, including Employment Services Administrator Jackie Moore and Employment and Labor Relations Administrator Maya Matthews. The focus was on the necessity of the audit, prompted by recent operational inefficiencies that have hindered the county's ability to fill positions promptly and effectively.

Michelle Ray, CEO of Blackwell HR, outlined the audit's methodology, which included interviews with HR staff and stakeholders, document reviews, and observations of the hiring process. Ray emphasized the commitment of the HR team but noted significant operational inefficiencies that compromise compliance and reduce productivity.

The audit identified four primary areas of concern: outdated merit codes, antiquated personnel policies, technological limitations, and the need for updated job descriptions. Ray highlighted that many of the merit codes were written in 1998 and have not kept pace with modern workforce needs, leading to bottlenecks in recruitment processes. For instance, the current merit code requires that positions cannot be posted until an employee vacates, causing delays in hiring.

Additionally, the audit revealed that approximately 114 job descriptions are over 20 years old, with many failing to reflect current job requirements and technological advancements. The report also pointed out that the county's reliance on outdated systems like PeopleSoft is hampering HR efficiency.

Ray concluded the presentation by outlining several recommendations aimed at mitigating risks and improving HR operations. These include updating personnel policies to ensure compliance with current laws, modernizing workforce practices, and investing in new technology to streamline processes.

The meeting concluded with questions from committee members, who expressed concern over the outdated job descriptions and the need for a systematic approach to updating them. The committee acknowledged the importance of these findings and the necessity for follow-up actions to enhance the county's HR functions.