Sandusky civil service commission closes short eligibility list, discusses charter change aimed at easing hiring

A majority of the Sandusky Civil Service Commission voted to close an eligibility list that “technically isn’t valid” because it no longer contains the six names required, and commissioners heard from a city department representative about a proposed charter amendment intended to streamline hiring and improve police recruitment.

The action to close the list also included preapproval for staff to take the necessary steps to create a new, valid eligibility list. The closure was moved and seconded and carried after an oral vote. Separately, city staff described a pending charter amendment that, if placed on the ballot and approved by voters, would allow the city to change civil service rules—bringing Sandusky’s process closer to what many other municipalities use.

The discussion matters because the commission said the current eligibility roster has dwindled: the department representative told commissioners that their “current list had 6 candidates on it. We’ve hired 1 candidate from the list. We offered employment to the second candidate on the list, and she withdrew consideration.” The representative said the commission needs six names for a list to be valid and that the current shortage prevents hiring from that list.

“Processing paperwork. We can go down and start the backgrounds. We…have to post for 30 to 45 days. We have to keep it open for 30 to 45…