The Kane County Merit Commission reported Sept. 11 that it plans to charge applicants a small, refundable fee to reduce test no-shows and cover testing costs after a recent corrections test produced 27 no-shows and roughly $400 in discarded test booklets.
The commission said it hopes a modest fee — citing peer agencies99 fees that ranged from $10 to $45, with a common level near $20-- will reduce last-minute cancellations. "We just threw away close to $400," the Merit Commission presenter said, describing the per-booklet cost to the county and the administrative burden of no-shows.
The commission also told the committee it will administer patrol officer testing on Oct. 29 at Waubonsee and expects more than 100 applicants; lateral interviews are scheduled for Sept. 16. Because Waubonsee is providing space at no charge, the commission said it will explore offering a modest payment (the presenter suggested $250) to help cover cleaning and related costs when many applicants use the facility.
No formal policy decision was required Sept. 11; the commission presented the proposal to add an application fee and said it will return with the specific fee amount and an administrative process, such as refunding the fee if an applicant is hired, as some agencies do.
The Merit Commission also said it will continue regular lateral recruitment and testing to fill vacancies.
The committee asked no procedural changes on Sept. 11; the Merit Commission will follow the county's payment and procurement procedures if it establishes venue payments and will present a fee recommendation at a future meeting.