Hall County board discusses expanding notification when employee complaints reach chair; no formal vote recorded

Hall County board members and staff discussed proposed changes to the county 'No Harassment and Complaint Procedure' and related grievance rules that would require the board chair or vice chair to notify the full board, in closed session, when certain complaints reach their level.

"Are you seeing that in there, Kim, that you can highlight it?" a board member asked during discussion of proposed language. A staff member said the proposed change would make the board "generally aware when a complaint through the non harassment whistleblower or the grievance procedure goes through the proper channels and then is and then reaches the board chair." The speaker added the change would create "an affirmative duty to in closed session. Let the board know generally. County Attorney's Office."

Speakers noted uncertainty about how the proposed changes would interact with union contracts and their own grievance procedures. One speaker said they had not reviewed union contracts and therefore could not confirm whether union grievance processes would supersede or augment the county proposal. The discussion also included a separate administrative change described as increasing a predesignated list from 12 to 15 (the transcript called it "a predesignated list of sheep change from 12 to 15"); staff said they would take a deeper look and provide more specific delegation language.

Board members emphasized that notifications to the board would be general and not disclose names or details that would be inconsistent with closed-session rules. "I received a complaint from the County Attorney's Office. It involves this type of conduct. You're not gonna get names. At this point in time," a staff member said. The transcript shows discussion and a plan to review language; it does not record any motion, second or formal board vote on the proposed revisions in the provided excerpt.

The item was framed as a rule-clarifying measure intended to make the board aware when complaints escalate to the chair or vice chair, while staff continue to protect confidentiality and abide by union contract processes where applicable.