Commission debates hiring HR generalist; awards employee-handbook contract to CPS HR Consulting

Harrison County commissioners debated hiring a human-resources generalist on May 7 and separately awarded a contract to CPS HR Consulting to prepare an updated county employee handbook.

Proponents argued the county needs dedicated HR capacity for workers’ compensation, FMLA, policy updates, recruiting, discipline documentation, job descriptions, and procurement/asset management work tied to HR and capital planning. Supporters said a dedicated HR professional would centralize records (applications, offer letters, drug testing consents), standardize hiring and termination processes, and reduce legal risk.

Opponents said elected officials and department heads traditionally manage some HR tasks and expressed concern about overlap with existing administrative duties. One commissioner moved to oppose hiring an HR generalist; another moved to consider hiring. The record shows the commission debated the issue at length and took a split vote on the motion to consider hiring; commissioners also discussed that elected officials could opt to handle HR matters themselves if they prefer.

Separately, the commission reviewed four proposals for an employee-handbook project and voted to award the contract to CPS HR Consulting, which had interviewed with the commission and presented a scope that county staff judged thorough. CPS’s proposal was selected by a majority vote; commissioners asked that the consultant ensure state-specific employment-law compliance.

Discussion vs. decision: the commission deferred a final hiring decision for an HR generalist (discussion ongoing) but made the formal decision to contract for the employee handbook and related HR policy work.

Ending: County staff will proceed with the CPS contract for handbook development; commissioners directed that any HR hiring be coordinated with elected officials and that the handbook reflect West Virginia employment law and county-specific operating practices.