County mulling HR director hire

County mulling HR director hire

Parker: ‘ It’s time we have that central office and employee to have the resources to do an effective job’

news@theeveningtimes.com

Crittenden County is considering hiring a human resources director to assist officials with the hiring of personnel.

Justice Lorenzo Parker, who chairs the Quorum Court’s Personnel Committee, said the committee discussed the need to have someone on the payroll who can handle important personnel issues.

“This came up a couple of years ago with me and Justice Bass and now we see a need for it again,” Parker said. “With all that we are involved in especially payroll and benefits, it’s time we have that central office and employee to have the resources to do an effective job.”

Justices received a copy of a proposed ordinance sponsored by Justice Stacy Allen to create the HR position to look over.

The human resource director would be responsible for making recommendations establishing the pay grade classification system for employees; determining the minimum qualifications of job applicants; providing employee orientation and documenting transfers, promotions demotions, suspensions and dismissals; maintaining personnel records; posting all open positions and scheduling interviews; assisting with employee discipline and attending grievance committee hearings.

Hiring and firing would still be in the hands of department heads.

Justice Lisa O’Neal said she would be in favor of having an HR manager because employment policies and employment law is very complex.

“In revising our employee handbook we came across stuff we were not aware of,” O’Neal said. “That’s why we discussed this at length about a human resource director.”

“Absolutely,” Parker agreed.

Parker said a lot of times the county may not be aware of a problem until it actually become a problem and liability for the county.

“Some stuff you haven’t faced or tackled because it just hasn’t been an issue,” Parker said. “Then when it becomes an issue, you have to react to it. So I think that’s the purpose of a human resources department to be proactive so we don’t get ourselves in to trouble on some things.”

Judge Woody Wheeless said Pulaski and Saline counties are the only two in Arkansas that employ a human resources director, and that the average salary is about $68,000.

“They (Saline County) actually had two people — a director and an assistant director,” Wheeless said.

“Saline County is currently paying $57,000 and some change.”

Parker said it would be better to pay an HR director $68,000 a year than risk a multi million dollar judgment against the county.

“We are facing some legal issues now because of some personnel and payroll stuff,” Parker said. “So $68,000 compared to a million dollar judgment. I just think it’s a benefit to us that will save us in the long run. It’s something we need to discuss and put out there on the table.”

By Mark Randall