HR director outlines onboarding changes and warns of rising insurance and recruitment costs

Human Resources Director Morris told the Gardner Finance Committee on March 10 that her office has implemented an electronic onboarding system with 30/60/90‑day follow‑up interviews for new hires and is launching improved tracking to identify onboarding issues.

Morris said the recent placement program drew 24 senior applicants and five veterans; the city has 20 senior slots and 10 veteran slots and is cross‑checking veteran status during placement. "We had a total of 24 seniors who applied and 5 veterans," Morris said. She said selection outreach was underway and assignments would start once placements are confirmed.

On benefits and budget pressures, Morris said insurance remains the department’s biggest challenge because the city is self‑insured and claim costs—not administrative fees—drive overall expense. She told the committee the HR budget is at about 72% spent year‑to‑date and the department is exploring plan changes and alternative vendors. On recruitment costs, Morris warned of a policy change at Indeed that limits free job posts and will require paid postings; she said, "They only are doing now 3 free post for every 30 days, and you have to pay for jobs, which is gonna be a significant increase, for spending." The committee was told she has included that expected cost in next year’s budget.

Morris also reported 227 hires and 225 terminations for calendar 2025 (including seasonal staff) and said she is drafting personnel ordinance changes on vacation and sick‑time payout rules for the committee to consider.

Committee members asked questions about insurance trust fund balances and requested monthly updates through the end of the fiscal year given the budgetary pressures; Morris agreed to provide additional information as available.