Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel Search Procedure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board debates access for members during county administrator search interviews and executive sessions
Summary
Board members and staff discussed whether non‑executive committee county board members may view interviews and portions of executive sessions by Zoom during the county administrator search.
DeKalb County board members and staff debated whether county board members who are not on the executive committee should be allowed to observe, by Zoom, portions of the county administrator search process, including interview sessions that may move into closed executive session.
Human resources manager Tim Newberg briefed the board on the search timeline, saying, "Application materials were received from 59 candidates," and described a special executive‑committee meeting scheduled for April 22 for initial discussion and a closed session to discuss appointment and employment matters, with first‑round interviews likely the week of May 5.
Why it matters: The discussion balanced transparency for board members against confidentiality protections for applicants and the legal limits of executive session. Several board members said observing interviews remotely helped them better evaluate candidates and accept committee recommendations; others emphasized that executive sessions should remain restricted.
Board members asked for a consistent approach. One board member said they wanted non‑executive county board members to be able to "observe not partake in, but observe the discussion," while others noted that executive sessions involve sensitive personnel matters and that confidentiality must be preserved. Legal and procedural considerations were raised regarding whether observers could be present for closed executive sessions and how Zoom access should be controlled.
Outcome and next steps: The executive committee will hold the initial meeting in person and the committee agreed to allow viewing by non‑committee board members for the interview rounds via Zoom, with the understanding observers will not participate. The committee also indicated it will keep candidate materials confidential and manage Zoom participation to limit attendance to authorized board members. A special executive‑committee meeting was scheduled; committee members expect to return with a consistent protocol for remote observation and interview access.
Ending: The board recommended a hybrid approach: executive committee in person for initial deliberations; Zoom access for non‑committee board members for interviews so they may observe but not participate. Staff will implement access controls and keep candidate materials confidential as required.
