Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Assembly introduces ordinance to ease internal promotions by amending minimum qualifications
Summary
Ordinance 2025-05 would change borough code sections KPB 3.04 0.11 and KPB 3.04 0.115 to allow internal candidates who have been performing in a position to be considered for promotion without strictly meeting current qualification timelines; administration says it will not override required professional licenses.
The Assembly introduced Ordinance 2025-05, which would amend borough code (listed in the packet as KPB 3.04 0.11 and KPB 3.04 0.115) to permit department heads greater flexibility to consider internal employees for promotion when those employees have already been performing the work of the position.
Why it matters: Borough staff said the change would reduce operational delays that occur when an acting employee who is already performing the higher-level duties cannot be formally appointed because of a technical qualification timeline. Administration and human resources said the revision would not remove licensing or certification requirements.
The mayor said the proposed change responds to prior cases in which internal candidates who were already acting in a higher-capacity role could not be formally appointed because they had not yet met a specified qualification period. The mayor said the restriction had “held up the entire department.”
Justin Hough, Director of Human Resources, told the Assembly the ordinance language “will not circumvent certifications that are required for the position.” Hough said the change would be initiated by the department head and would be rare; the department head would need to document why the employee meets the qualifications or can perform the job.
Assembly Member Tunsett asked whether the change could allow hiring someone into a position without required professional licenses (for example, an electrician). Hough directly answered that the ordinance would not remove or circumvent licensing or certification requirements.
Assembly Member Basden asked how the change might affect collective bargaining and whether uneven application could lead to grievances. Hough and the mayor said such situations should be rare and that any implementation would be coordinated with the union; the mayor said he would work with bargaining units on a letter of agreement and administration procedures to reduce the risk of disputes. Hough said these moves would be initiated by department heads based on operational need and would not be employee-initiated promotions.
The Assembly scheduled a hearing on Ordinance 2025-05 for May 6, as noted in the public packet. No final vote was recorded in the provided transcript.
