Civil Service Merit Board approves rule update clarifying appeals and filing timelines

The Civil Service Merit Board on Nov. 12 approved updates to its civil service rules intended to make appeals procedures easier for employees to follow and to align the rules’ time calculations with external law.

Devin, counsel to the board, summarized the changes during the board’s business meeting, saying the edits were limited and procedural. “The only changes that have been made, since our last discussion … 2 minor things that are non substantive changes,” Devin said, and described moving the disciplinary appeals text into the grievance rule so employees do not have to follow a cross‑reference. “Basically, what Anderson and I have talked about done is just we’re copying it and paste it,” Devin added.

The other change clarifies the definition of “days” used across the rules. Devin told the board that most time periods remain calculated in working days, but the 60‑day filing deadline for external appeals must be counted in calendar days “because of external law.” That wording was adjusted so the appeals deadline is calculated correctly for filings outside the civil service system.

Board members who spoke during the discussion praised the edits as clarifying for employees. After brief discussion the board approved the rules update by voice vote; the chair called for those in favor and members responded “aye.” No formal roll‑call opposition was recorded in the meeting transcript.

The change follows a workshop and a public hearing held Sept. 10, 2025. The board’s action consolidates the appeals steps into a single place in the rules and explicitly states that the 60‑day external appeal interval is measured in calendar days rather than working days.