The City Commission reviewed proposed updates to Chapter 4 of the personnel rules and regulations on Sept. 8 and directed staff to return the item with a clean, revised draft. The proposed amendments address employment, employee development, veterans preference, application and hiring procedures, reinstatement rules, nepotism/dating policies and other employee-management provisions.

Why it matters: The personnel rules govern hiring, performance, benefits and workplace conduct for city employees. Commissioners expressed a desire for clear, consistent language and for the city to retain flexibility to address special circumstances while protecting procedural fairness.

Major discussion points and requested revisions
- Application deadlines: Commissioners debated replacing absolute cutoff language (“will not be considered”) with more flexible wording (“may not be considered”) or with explicit timeframes so HR can exercise consistent discretion while preserving fairness across position types.
- Veterans preference: Commissioners asked that veterans-preference procedures and required verification be spelled out and tied to Florida statutes (Chapter 295) so that staff consistently verifies eligibility before awarding preference.
- Reinstatement: Staff explained the section’s purpose is to clarify pay and leave treatment for employees rehired within one year of separation; commissioners asked staff to reword headings and paragraphs so it is clear that employees can reapply after one year and that the paragraph governs pay/benefit treatment for reinstatement within one year.
- Nepotism and dating policies: Commissioners asked to broaden the language prohibiting relationships between supervisors and subordinate employees (remove “directly” so it covers indirect supervisory relationships) and to keep nepotism restrictions that prevent familial reporting relationships.
- Exceptions and designees: Commissioners asked to narrow or clarify exception language so exceptions require written justification (e.g., “for good cause”) and to avoid overly broad delegation without transparency.

Process and next steps
The commission did not adopt the changes at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to (1) produce a clean consolidated draft with the requested wording edits, (2) show cross-references to other handbook sections and existing policy (internal vacancy posting rules were noted), and (3) return with a full handbook rewrite (to become Chapter 5) and a clear packet before any final vote.

Ending: The item was continued for revision. Staff indicated they will incorporate commissioners’ edits (including a more explicit veterans-preference verification step, reworded reinstatement language, removal of “directly” from the dating prohibition, and a clarified exception process) and bring back a consolidated, final draft.