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Civil Service Commission upholds demotion of El Paso fire department employee
Summary
The El Paso Civil Service Commission voted unanimously Jan. 8 to sustain a demotion of Fire Department employee Michael Beltran after a hearing officer found he failed to obtain required certification within the probationary period; Beltran said he wanted more time but accepted the outcome.
The El Paso Civil Service Commission voted unanimously on Jan. 8 to sustain the demotion of Michael Beltran, a Fire Department fleet maintenance employee, after a hearing officer found he failed to obtain required certification within the probationary period.
Hearing officer Patricia Palafox told the commission that Beltran, who had been promoted to a supervisory fleet position, did not complete all required tests during the six-month probationary period even after a performance-improvement plan and additional time. "He was an excellent employee, excellent supervisor," Palafox said, but added plainly, "He never could" pass the required test. Palafox recommended that the commission sustain the demotion. She noted the city could have terminated him under the disciplinary matrix but instead demoted him and limited the pay reduction to 5 percent.
Beltran addressed the commission in person and said his time had run out while completing the certification process. "I wanted a little more time," he said, and explained he continues to work in his current duties while studying for the remaining requirement. He told commissioners he understood the action and was "fine with the demotion." At one point commissioners and Beltran clarified he is now missing one certification.
Commissioner Woody Baer moved to accept the hearing officer's recommendation; Commissioner Carlos Gonzalez seconded. The commission called for a voice vote, and the motion passed with no opposition.
The action sustains the demotion recommended by the hearing officer under the Civil Service Commission rules referenced at the hearing (Civil Service Commission ordinance 8065, Rule 8, suspension/reduction/discharge, Section 1, subsection I). Commissioners thanked Beltran for his service and encouraged him to complete the remaining certification(s). The commission then adjourned.
The commission record shows six commissioners present for the vote and one absence (Commissioner Elsa Borrego, mayor's office representative), per roll call earlier in the meeting.
