Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tullahoma board reinstates HR director, directs RFP for outside HR services after lengthy debate
Summary
The board voted to re-establish a Human Resources director role and instructed the purchasing department to issue an RFP/RFQ for outside HR services to handle grievances and review personnel policies. The HR director posting was described as necessary because HR workloads have increased; the procurement referral passed 6–1.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Monday voted to reinstate a Human Resources director position and sent the request for outside HR services to the purchasing department for an RFP/RFQ.
Mayor Seaborn read an administrator's recommendation to separate the combined city recorder and human-resources duties and to post the HR director job on 11/11/2025. City Administrator Quick told the board the combined workload had grown beyond what a single recorder/HR officer could manage: "We've had those conversations on a daily basis," he said, describing rising HR work demands separate from the recorder duties.
Alderman Tomah supported re-establishing the director role: "I think this is much needed," he said during debate. Other members urged caution and greater transparency before hiring. Alderman Wilson and others recommended a study session and argued the board should see candidate options or an RFP response packet before making a long-term hire.
After broader discussion about whether the city should hire an in-house director now or first solicit outside HR support, members amended the HR-services item to direct the purchasing department to issue an RFP/RFQ covering three tasks: address employee complaints and grievances, review and recommend changes to personnel policies, and recommend other appropriate HR services. The amendment and referral passed on a 6–1 vote.
City officials said available short-term options recommended by the city's insurance provider and MTAS had been shared with the board, but several aldermen said they wanted a formal procurement process so the public would see who applied. The board's split reflected two priorities: quickly giving employees a neutral point of contact for grievances, and ensuring procurement transparency and adherence to purchasing thresholds.
Next steps: the purchasing department will issue the RFP/RFQ and the responses will be included in the agenda packet for the board and public to review at a subsequent meeting. The board also approved posting the HR director position as described by the administrator.
