Okaloosa County BOCC — September 2, 2014 — Action Item Printout — reading text

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: September 2, 2014 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Kay Godwin SUBJECT: Human Resources Policy Manual Updates DEPARTMENT: Human Resources BCC DISTRICT: ALL STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Request BCC approval of the Human Resources Policy Manual changes identified on the attached pages and outlined below. Changes are clearly identified with strikeout for deleted language and underline for new language. BACKGROUND: The Human Resources Policy Manual requires periodic updates to remain current and relevant. Below is a brief synopsis of the changes in the order they appear on the attachment. Code of Conduct and Outside Employment & Contractual Relationships - In the December 2013 Auditor General Report, it was recommended that Okaloosa County "enhance its policies and procedures, as needed, to identify and prevent potential conflicts of interest." This policy is intended to define what constitutes a conflict of interest, the steps employees must take to disclose an actual or perceived conflict of interest and reiterates the requirements as outlined in 112.313 Florida Statutes. These revisions have been reviewed and approved through management staff and the County Attorney. Fluid Positions - During the FY15 budget process, Fleet Operations requested the creation of a Certified Equipment Technician. This policy change allows for the addition of the Certified Equipment Technician to fall within the already existing Equipment Technician/Master Equipment Technician fluid position structure. Traffic Operations has also requested during the FY15 budget process the reclassification of the Traffic Signal Technician and Senior Traffic Signal Technician positions to Traffic Signal Technician I and Traffic Signal Technician II positions, respectively. This policy change would allow for these positions to be considered fluid and the employee's classification would be based on the level of certification they hold. Drug-Free Workplace Policy - Request modification of the drug testing policy to be consistent with provisions of a drug free workplace program as prescribed by Florida Statutes Chapter 440; specifically, the definition of job applicant for a public employer. Applicants for safety sensitive positions will successfully complete a pre-employment drug test prior to beginning employment. OPTIONS: Approve/Provide other direction as needed. RECOMMENDATIONS: Approve the Code of Conduct and Outside Employment & Contractual Relationship policy changes effective September 2, 2014. Approve the following policy changes to be effective September 29, 2014: Fluid Positions Policy, provided the FY15 budget is approved to implement the affected positions; and Drug-Free Workplace Policy. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: Ernie Padgett, County Administrator