Buckner council adopts ordinance letting city manager require employee screenings

The Buckner City Council approved Ordinance No. 1105 on second reading, changing the city’s personnel policy so department heads may set screening requirements while the city manager can require additional tests in specific cases.

The change — introduced as Bill No. 2510 in old business — alters section 300.5 of the City of Buckner personnel policy to give the city manager authority to override a department head’s decision on applicant screening. “The essence was, is that ultimately the city manager has the ability to override the department head,” the Chair said when presenting the ordinance language.

Committee members questioned whether the change could force repeated testing of applicants who recently completed similar screens elsewhere. One committee member said requiring multiple psych or drug screens can be costly: “If you Just had one of those two weeks ago. Why should we pay another 600 to have it again?” the Committee member asked, arguing for parity and cost considerations for applicants transferring from other agencies.

Supporters said the provision creates an administrative check and helps protect the city from inconsistent screening across departments. The ordinance underwent a second reading and the council conducted a roll-call vote after discussion; a roll call recorded six affirmative votes and no recorded no votes, and the ordinance was adopted.

What happens next: Ordinance No. 1105 takes effect per the city’s ordinance-adoption rules. Council members said they expect departments to exercise screening discretion while the manager’s authority remains a backstop for consistency and city liability concerns.