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Wagoner council adopts amended employee policies after extended debate over relatives working together
Summary
After nearly two hours of discussion focusing on hiring relatives and oversight procedures, the Wagoner City Council narrowly adopted amendments to the city employee policies and procedures manual that clarify documentation requirements and appeal steps for disciplinary actions.
The Wagoner City Council on July 7 adopted an amended Employee Policies and Procedures Manual after an extended debate about relatives working in the same department and how disciplinary complaints should be handled.
Council members spent more than an hour discussing language on verbal warnings, documentation requirements and whether relatives may be employed in the same department. Several council members pushed to tighten language requiring supervisors to document verbal warnings; others pressed for explicit chain-of-command steps if employees believe a supervisor treated a relative differently.
“Your supervisor shall document the verbal reminder,” Council Member North argued during the review of the disciplinary section, urging the stronger wording to ensure clear records. Multiple council members asked that the manual require documentation rather than allow it as optional.
Mayor (unnamed) and other members emphasized the practical challenges of a small city where many people are related. “We do also live in a small town,” the mayor said, noting that relatives working for the city is common and that policies should be workable. Council Member Sampson and others said the council should focus on ensuring complaints are routed and resolved, not on undoing existing hires.
Council Member Sampson proposed an amendment clarifying that disciplinary appeals by employees should follow an explicit chain of command—first HR, then the mayor, then the council—so complaints would not be left unresolved. After discussion the council voted to adopt the amended manual as presented to council with the adjustments discussed during the meeting.
The final roll call on adoption of the city manual (item 25) recorded: Butler — Yes; Higginbotham — Yes; North — No; Wagoner — Yes; Wright — No; Wilson — No; Sampson — No; Thomas — Yes. The motion passed by the tally recorded on the meeting.
Council members said changes are prospective and will not be applied retroactively to current hires. Several members asked staff to draft clearer language to address small departments where “direct” and “indirect” supervision are not easily separable.
Council and staff also agreed to follow up with HR to ensure clear written procedures for employees who wish to report preferential treatment or other workplace concerns, and to include more explicit documentation requirements for supervisors going forward.
