The Civil Service Board will remain part of Monterey Government, as Aldermen discuss multiple changes to the charter based on a review.
Alderman Jamie Phillips motioned to abolish the Civil Service Board, but the motion failed after no second. Phillips then asked if the aldermen could send the decision to a referendum, stating that many citizens have told him they want the Civil Service Board removed.
“If that’s what they want, that’s what they should get,” Phillips said. “I have not had one person tell me they wanted to keep it. I have had everyone tell me they want to get rid of it. So let’s put it to a vote and let them vote, and let them decide.”
Alderman Cecilia Paulsen said removing the Civil Service Board would start a slippery slope. Alderman Bill Wiggins said that if there is a large group of citizens who want the Civil Service Board removed, they should put together a petition.
“If there’s such an undercurrent of concern, we need to advise these citizens that they can petition this board,” Wiggins said. “Step up, put a face on it, just like we have ours, and say, hey, we want this to go through a referendum. So let the word go forth that citizens can get together, form a petition, sign it, come here, and lobby for it. Let’s give them a voice if it’s that strong of an undercurrent.”
Paulsen later added that she has not had a single constituent tell her they despise having a Civil Service Board. She then added that the Civil Service takes the politics out of employee decisions.
“They have no vested interest,” Paulsen said. “They are not a department head. These people don’t report to them. They have an objective pattern in order to hire, fire, and discipline. There’s a reason for that. It takes all, any favoritism, any nepotism, any of that, takes it out.”
Four residents voiced support for keeping the Civil Service Board during public comment. Civil Service Board member April Bohannon said the board has been effective in its oversight, including hiring and termination decisions, and noted that employee turnover has declined under its leadership.
“You have good employees who have dedicated many, many years to this town, and they do not deserve to worry about losing their job because of their ulterior motive or the benefit of what the board wants,” Bohannon said. “Because they know, and I know, if there were not a Civil Service Board, many of them would lose their job.”
Bohannon also said that the town had a controversial history involving employment decisions before the board’s establishment.
