Civil Service staff and HR report $25,000 in council funding for recruiting, digitization and testing; board hears rule-change request for firefighter recruits

The Civil Service Merit Board heard staff reports March 12 covering recruiting, testing and modernization work, and received updates from the human resources deputy director on organizational changes and expanded employee benefits.

Civil service staff said a recent city council budget amendment included $25,000 for civil service recruiting and records digitization. "We did get $25,000 for civil service to use towards some of our recruiting efforts," the staff member said, adding the funds will be used for sponsored postings on job sites and to digitize archived board minutes and supporting documents. Staff said funds will also be used to expand eSkill online testing licenses.

Budget and operations: civil service staff reviewed a multi-page budget packet showing the personnel category at roughly 67% spent year-to-date and an office services category at about 63% spent. Office-supplies funds included approximately $7,400 total with about $2,700 still available, the staff report said. Staff characterized spending as on-track for the time of year.