Council authorizes full‑time HR director and part‑time staff; Joyce Mason welcomed to lead HR

The Zion City Council approved on July 7 an amendment to the personnel authorization to add a full‑time human resources director and a part‑time HR staff member (not to exceed 1,000 hours annually).

Staff explained the new positions are intended to centralize HR functions across departments — including recruitment, employee wellness, labor relations, compliance and performance management — and to address staffing and retention challenges. The staff presentation noted the city employs approximately 174 people and that HR duties had been distributed across departments, creating inefficiencies.

A motion to approve the ordinance amendment was made, seconded and approved by the council; the transcript records the motion as carrying 5–0. Immediately afterward, council members formally welcomed Joyce Mason, who said she has an HR background and is excited to join the city in the role. Several council members and the mayor praised Mason’s municipal experience and community service; staff said Mason will lead recruitment, retention, employee engagement, labor relations and professional development across city departments.

The ordinance establishes the positions and directs staff to complete onboarding and classification details. The meeting record does not include the specific salary range for the new full‑time director (the presentation referenced a salary range “listed” but the transcript did not repeat the numeric range).