Council moves nepotism policy amendment to Aug. 18 vote to allow relatives in same department under limits

City Manager Nodell told the Poplar Bluff City Council on Aug. 4 that a proposed amendment to section 1-20.240 of the code of ordinances would permit family members to be employed in the same city department so long as the existing relative does not exercise direct supervision, hiring, disciplinary, performance evaluation or auditing authority over the relative. Nodell said the change is intended to broaden the applicant pool in a tight labor market and align the city’s policy with the State of Missouri and other municipalities that use similar rules. “Quality applicants would be turned away due to existing policy,” he said, and the amendment would allow second- and third-generation public-safety families to be considered. Council members asked whether the change could affect advancement and promotions if family members worked in the same division; Nodell replied promotions or transfers that would create a supervisory conflict would need to be considered and avoided in keeping with the ordinance. He said the ordinance’s effect is similar to state practice though not verbatim in wording. Action: the council voted to move the amendment to the Aug. 18 voting session for final action. No final adoption occurred on Aug. 4.