Council debates temporary suspension of civil-service hiring lists; item pulled for tracking

Council members spent substantial time debating a resolution that would suspend parts of the Iowa Code civil service hiring requirements for up to one year for select departments, including the water treatment plant, underground utilities and economic and community development, citing persistent hiring shortages.

Janelle Bertrand, the city’s human resources director, said departments often receive very short eligible lists and that managers interview every candidate on the list; she said that requirement can force hires who later fail probation and leave departments understaffed. "They interview all names on the list. People may not choose to take the job," Bertrand said, describing a pattern of short lists and subsequent probationary terminations.

Amber Haggerty, assistant city attorney, explained the legal mechanics in the current law and said the change would let departments consider a pool of tested applicants without being forced to hire from a list they consider unsuitable. "The way the new law's written is...they do not have to hire from that group if they choose not to," Haggerty said.

Opponents cautioned that suspending lists risks undermining civil service protections and could open the door to favoritism. Mayor Robert E. Scott expressed concern about losing the safeguards the civil service provides. Supporters argued the measure is intended as short-term flexibility and said staff should report hiring outcomes at the end of the suspension.

After debate, council members decided to pull the personnel item from the consent agenda for separate tracking. Staff agreed to provide measured results at the end of the term and offered to bring broader, cross-departmental information to the council if requested.

No final suspension was adopted at this meeting; the pull preserves council discretion to revisit or rescind the measure after staff reports.