Council approves hepatitis B policy and authorizes posting for finance director position

Waupaca — The Waupaca Common Council on March 3 adopted an employee handbook policy formalizing the city’s offer of hepatitis B vaccination to employees and approved initiating recruitment for the open finance director position after the finance director announced her resignation.

Public works director Justin Barrons explained the proposed Employee Handbook Policy 1.11, which formalizes an annual process offering hepatitis B vaccination at city expense to employees who have potential exposure to blood-borne pathogens; employees may decline the vaccination and sign a waiver. The personnel committee reviewed the policy and the council approved it on a roll-call vote (10 ayes).

The council also heard that Finance Director Stephanie Reif will resign effective March 13. Staff presented a job description and a recruitment flyer. The personnel team requested permission to post the role internally for seven business days beginning March 4, then externally with a 30-day external window if no internal candidate is selected, with the aim of conducting interviews in April and hiring by May if the schedule allows. Council approved initiating the recruitment process by motion and roll-call vote (10 ayes).

Council members discussed degree and credential phrasing to avoid unintentionally excluding candidates; staff confirmed the job posting includes language to encourage applicants who may not meet every preferred credential but possess equivalent training and experience. Council agreed the city will handle recruitment without an outside firm unless necessary.

No additional personnel decisions were recorded at the meeting.