Commissioners adopt standardized new‑hire onboarding checklist as county practice

DeKalb County Human Resources Director Benita Ransom told the committee HR had developed a standardized new‑hire onboarding checklist to improve consistency in onboarding, knowledge transfer, productivity and compliance. Ransom said the checklist had already been implemented within administration departments and is part of policy CV360.

Commissioners reviewed the resolution (item 2025‑0600), which states HR’s checklist is a draft point of reference included with the resolution. Commissioner Messiah (speaker identified in transcript) proposed a friendly amendment: add a header sentence before the checklist that reads, in effect, that each new hire should be familiar with the checklist items as part of onboarding. Commissioners discussed whether adopting the resolution would lock the checklist such that any future changes would require another resolution; HR staff said the checklist was presented as a draft point of reference in the packet so commissioners could review it without needing to reference CV360 outside the packet. One commissioner asked for clarity; another asserted that changes would require a new resolution, and the chair indicated that understanding was acceptable.

Commissioner (mover) moved to approve item 2025‑0600 with the suggested friendly amendment to add the header language to the checklist; the motion was seconded. The committee voted “Aye” and the motion carried. HR said the checklist is an electronic document in CV360 and that new hires must acknowledge that items have been provided or discussed, typically by the second day on the job. Ransom added that online training modules and user guides will be available and that on‑site departments are expected to ensure new hires receive and acknowledge the checklist contents.