Committee delays vote on Human Resources Commission appointment after resume not included with materials

The Akron Budget and Finance Committee voted to take time on a resolution that would appoint Elizabeth England to the city’s Human Resources Commission after members said her resume did not come with the meeting materials.

HR department staff told the committee they had a vacancy on the three-member commission and that the commission reviews disciplinary appeals, layoffs, transfers and reductions in pay. Staff said the commission had been handling cases with only two members and that hearings are scheduled this week and on May 9.

Montrella Jackson, speaking for HR, said, “So the Human Resources Commission reviews all, disciplinary appeals, that, across the city. So if someone decides to challenge a disciplinary action, but also if there's a layoff or if there's a transfer or reduction in pay or, so that board it's a 3 member board and or commission. Sorry. And, they review those appeals.” Jackson said the city had received Elizabeth England’s resume but acknowledged it was not included with the legislation packet and offered to circulate it to council members.

A council member asked for temporary time until members could see England’s resume; the committee voted in favor of a motion for time. One council member who said she personally knows England described her as “an excellent person” with long local residency and experience; the speaker did not identify a specific role beyond council membership in the record. The committee’s motion for time carried and the appointment was not confirmed at the meeting.

Next steps: HR staff will circulate the candidate’s resume to committee members; pending review, the committee may reconvene on the item. The Human Resources Commission’s upcoming hearings were cited as background for filling the vacancy.