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Warren council passes first reading to modernize civil‑service rules, acknowledging edits before second reading
Summary
Council gave first reading approval to a rewrite of Chapter 25, modernizing the city’s civil‑service ordinance to recognize a human resources department, clarify exempt positions, and align provisions with collective‑bargaining practice; counsel said updates will be refined before a second reading.
Warren City Council approved a first reading of an ordinance to modernize Chapter 25 of the city code, a move city counsel described as aligning decades‑old language with contemporary human‑resources practice.
City counsel Mister Schroeder said the ordinance, largely unchanged in structure since 1967, would recognize an HR department and update the list and process for positions exempt from civil service. "This ordinance has basically existed since 1967," Schroeder told the council, adding that the proposal would allow the council to update exempt positions by resolution during the annual budget process rather than by ordinance.
Schroeder explained the change would also clarify how collective bargaining agreements interact with city rules and maintain a merit system for classified employees. He said some obsolete positions currently listed as exempt — like a helicopter mechanic — no longer exist and that the ordinance should be flexible to reflect modern job titles.
Council members asked detailed questions about the civil service commission’s continuing role, which positions remain exempt, how the council would retain oversight, and protections against favoritism. Councilwoman Mindy Moore said the first reading is the start of the process and encouraged continued collaboration. Moore also criticized what she called an early press release about the draft ordinance, saying outreach should wait until language settles.
Members discussed technical edits to update nondiscrimination language and veterans preferences and signaled they would work with counsel and staff on changes before a second reading. The council approved the first reading on roll call and indicated a second reading with revised language will follow.
Next steps: counsel and staff will incorporate suggested wording changes, particularly for nondiscrimination and veterans‑preference language, and present the revised ordinance for a second reading.
