Discuss having annual performance reviews for all county employees
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On Jan. 11, the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors held a weekly budget preview meeting where the supervisors heard from three departments (treasurer, recorder and facilities). Each department provided a brief overview of the main budgetary factors that are being used to develop the initial numbers for the upcoming fiscal year’s budget.
Facilities Manager Brandon Thompson explained the motor vehicle line item, saying, “At some point, we’d like to either get another tractor replaced or a semi or a trailer. We’re coming up on that six-year mark on the trailers. We have three trucks right now and two trailers, and it’s been very helpful to have that extra truck.”
Treasurer Brenda Campbell and Recorder Tristen Richard each provided the supervisors a summary of their department’s main budget assumptions and answered questions from the supervisors. No formal action was taken at this time. The supervisors are continuing to hold budgetary preview meetings each Thursday at 9 a.m.
On Jan. 16, the supervisors held a regular meeting. The item generating the most discussion was the possibility of having annual performance reviews for all county employees.
“I just wondered if we wanted to make a decision on having annual review for all employees,” Supervisor Brian Johnson said. “I know some departments do it, and some don’t. I think it’s a best practice, and, at worst, it protects you in case you need to let somebody go.”
The supervisors discussed that if the county were to expect annual review of all employees, there should first be coaching/training for the staff who would be asked to perform such reviews.
No formal decision was made, but JD Kuster summarized the discussion, saying, “We shall move forward on that and bring it up at a department head meeting.”
Maggie Armstrong asked if the board was OK with her continuing to move forward with Neapolitan Labs on the plan to develop a county website. She said Neapolitan Labs seems to be the best match for what the county wants. No objections were voiced.
The supervisors also heard a report from Beth Watson regarding Veterans Affairs and General Relief.
The next meeting of the board will be a departmental budget preview meeting on Thursday, Jan. 18. The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 23. Attendees may participate in person or by calling 323-792-6123 and inputting conference ID 547029216#.