Harrison County commissioners take no action on engineer hire, ask HR to begin negotiations

Harrison County commissioners declined to take final action on hiring a county engineer and directed the human resources director to begin negotiations with a finalist, the Chair said during an open session.

A committee member proposed authorizing HR to negotiate terms with an engineer candidate and then return an HR recommendation to the full commission for approval. "I would make a motion that we authorize HR to start negotiations with the candidate," the committee member said, adding that HR should then bring a recommendation back to be placed on the next agenda.

The Chair cautioned the board that early negotiations would not be binding. "None of that is really binding... she's just gonna be talking to somebody and they may say 'yay' or 'nay,'" the Chair said, characterizing negotiations as preliminary.

After discussing the approach, the body agreed to take no formal action at the meeting and to let HR proceed with discussions. The Chair said: "She can report back to us with her proposed action," instructing HR to present a recommendation prior to the next meeting.

Members then moved to adjourn. A motion to adjourn was seconded (recorded as "Second by Mr. Coos") and the meeting concluded by voice agreement.

The matter of appointing a county engineer will return when HR presents its negotiated recommendation for formal approval.