Okaloosa County BOCC — April 1, 2014 — Action Item Printout

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: April 1, 2014 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Kay Godwin SUBJECT: HR Policy Changes DEPARTMENT: Human Resources BCC DISTRICT: ALL STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Request Board approval of the addition of an anti-fraud policy and changes to other various policies within the Human Resources Policy Manual. BACKGROUND: Following the Auditor General findings, the Human Resources Department, with the assistance from the County’s external auditor, developed the proposed formal anti-fraud policy. This policy has been vetted through staff including department directors and legal counsel. The policy effectively formalizes the processes already in place for handling reports of fraud, and is intended to aid in the detection and prevention of fraud. Current training and new employee orientation programs include ethics, code of conduct, whistleblower reporting and protection, and the current policy on theft/pilfering. Further training will be conducted on warning signs of fraud and what employees should do if they suspect fraud is occurring, in addition to management’s and officials’ responsibilities should they receive a report of fraud. The other proposed changes to existing policies are relatively minor and primarily for clarification purposes. Policy changes are highlighted for quick identification in the attached document. Additions are underlined and deletions are in strikeout format. OPTIONS: Approve/Deny RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends the Board approve the proposed changes to the Human Resources Policy Manual. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: Ernie Padgett, County Administrator