Council questions hiring changes as administration pauses hiring; enters executive session on finance personnel

During debate on the FY2026 budget amendment, several council members said they were unaware of changes to the county's hiring procedures and asked for formal notice and council review of any policy changes affecting personnel. County Administrator Terrell Youmans said the county paused hiring temporarily while HR responsibilities were reorganized following resignations and planned training to refresh procedures; he cited practical changes such as outsourcing drug testing and implementing digital time-entry.

"It is our best practices that we don't think other county employees should be performing drug testing for incoming employees; that should be done by a third party," Youmans said, describing one procedural change under consideration. Administration said updates would be documented and that some steps would be reflected in the employee handbook as appropriate.

Council members emphasized that policy changes to hiring and personnel procedures should be brought to council for review and approval when they alter existing policy. The transcript shows council asked for better notification and for any handbook changes to come before the full council.

Later in the meeting the council moved, seconded and voted to enter executive session to discuss a personnel matter related to the finance department; the motion carried and the meeting recessed into executive session. The transcript ends with the recess into executive session; no further details were disclosed in open session.