Pierce County commissioners ask attorney to draft revised recreation personnel policy after safety concerns

Pierce County commissioners discussed changes to the Recreation Department personnel policy during a called meeting on April 22, 2024, and directed staff to provide written suggestions to County Attorney Adam Craft for drafting a revised policy.

Chairman Neal Bennett opened the discussion and County Manager Raphel Maddox recommended that any board member with suggestions "write it down and give it to the County Attorney Adam Craft to make sure the change is legal." The board did not take a formal vote to adopt a new policy during the meeting.

Commissioner Graham Raley asked that the policy explicitly cover appointed personnel in addition to employees, coaches and volunteers, and said disqualifying offenses should include any offenses "involving children." Commissioner David Lowman asked for clearer language about misdemeanors and proposed adding a reinstatement provision; County Attorney Adam Craft agreed the policy should include a reinstatement policy. Commissioner Randy Dixon sought clarification on what qualifies as a disqualifying offense and said pending offenses should be reviewed by the Recreation Board, with disputes referred to the County Board of Commissioners.

During public comment, Anna Saucedo, a member of the Recreation Board, raised concerns about recreation personnel who have had multiple battery charges. Chairman Bennett said the Recreation Department should continue to use the current policy "as they see fit until the new policy is written by County Attorney Adam Craft and approved." County Manager Raphel Maddox added that if an issue arises before a commission meeting, he would make the interim decision.

Commissioner Randy Dixon suggested the policy include the phrase "innocent until proven guilty." That phrasing was discussed as part of several commissioners' concerns about due process and the need for clearer definitions for disqualifying offenses.

The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Harold Rozier, seconded by Commissioner Randy Dixon; the meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m.

Next steps: board members are to submit written suggested changes to County Attorney Adam Craft, who will prepare a draft for future board review and approval. Until the board approves a revised policy, the Recreation Department will operate under the existing personnel policy.