Commissioner Hann urges Per Diem hires after alleging bias; Bunch abstains from vote

Commissioner Hervey P. Hann addressed hiring practices during the Fulton County Commissioners' Nov. 18 meeting, reading a letter that argued the county should create Per Diem positions to avoid retaining employees "everyday, even when they are not needed" and alleging prior hiring decisions excluded candidates "because of who they are."

Hann said the interviews for the Per Diem positions included Commissioner Wible and HR Administrator Mary Huston. His remarks included the following, recorded in the minutes: "We are moving to hire two Per Diem employees which will allow us to have help when needed instead of hiring individuals to be employed everyday, even when they are not needed. Myself, Commissioner Wible and HR Administrator Mary Huston interviewed for these positions and believe that someone is not hired because of who they are. We also believe that we do not, not, hire a person who is an excellent candidate because of who they are."

On that basis the board approved hiring two Per Diem employees, naming Stephanie Seibert and Nya Minnier, to be used on an as-needed basis across county departments, effective pending clearances. The minutes record that Commissioner Randy H. Bunch abstained from the Per Diem vote because of a conflict of interest; the motion otherwise carried. HR Administrator Mary Huston was present for the discussion. No additional inquiry, rebuttal or follow-up investigation into the hiring allegation is recorded in the meeting minutes.

The minutes show the Salary Board set hourly wages for the new hires (separate minutes on file). Further personnel and staffing matters, including a review of a retention letter from the probation department and a separate executive-session discussion of personnel, were also on the Nov. 18 agenda.