Board debates new employee evaluation policy, adopts substitute exhibit after legal questions

Mike Linder introduced a resolution (TMP‑1396) to add an employee performance evaluation policy to the personnel handbook, requiring annual evaluations for county employees covered by the board. The Human Services Committee had discussed the policy and the item came forward with staff explanation that collective bargaining agreements would control covered employees.

A significant discussion point centered on language in Exhibit A that designates one member of the committee to meet with and deliver the executive director’s annual review. Some members urged designating two people to provide more committee representation; the State's Attorney cautioned that adding a second person could create an advisory body and risk triggering open‑meetings requirements if those individuals subsequently advised the larger committee. The chair and staff explained the flexibility built into the policy for the committee to designate the appropriate reviewer and to provide training on goal writing and evaluation techniques.

Members also moved and passed a motion to substitute the handout Exhibit A for the version in the published packet after confirming the changes were mostly non‑substantive edits requested by the State's Attorney. The committee agreed to hold a committee‑of‑the‑whole training on goal writing in January.