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Supervisors approve recorder’s office requisition after debate over termination and grievance timeline
Summary
After extended discussion about a recently terminated recorder office employee, the board voted to approve a requisition to fill an office specialist/passport agent position while acknowledging a possible grievance and the county’s internal posting rules.
The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors voted June 3 to approve a personnel requisition to fill a full‑time office specialist position in the recorder’s office — a role that includes passport agent duties — after several supervisors debated whether to delay the request while a potential grievance could be filed.
Recorder Sandy Smith told the board the open role is one of two passport agents and that the office could be down to a single agent while the vacancy is filled. Smith said the previous employee’s separation occurred the prior Thursday. Smith asked that the board approve the requisition to start the hiring process so the office can maintain regular hours.
Amanda Fessmeyer, the county human resources director, explained the typical process: internal posting for three business days followed by an external posting for a minimum of 10 days, and that employees have seven days to file a grievance after termination. Fessmeyer also explained the limits of the board’s authority: elected officials (including the recorder) have disciplinary authority over their own offices and the board does not generally have the authority to overturn those decisions.
Board members asked whether posting the vacancy now would complicate a grievance or arbitration outcome; one supervisor moved to postpone the requisition for a week to see whether a grievance was filed, but the motion to postpone did not carry. The board then voted to approve the requisition by roll call. The roll call on the final motion recorded a “no” vote from one supervisor and majority “yes” votes from others.
Fessmeyer said the county would consult legal counsel and the union if a grievance proceeds. She told the supervisors she had not received a grievance at the time of the meeting and that, in her experience, terminations handled through the county process “tend to stick.”
Sandy Smith said the office will post internally first and that the vacancy will be filled following the union contract rules. The board’s approval authorizes HR to proceed with the requisition; no final hire decision was made during the meeting.
Meeting presenters also noted operational concerns: losing one passport agent will reduce availability, the office temporarily will be closed certain days as staff adjust, and the county’s civil‑service and grievance processes could affect timing if a grievance is filed.
