Second times a charm for Clerk Shelagh Vanderveen.
After nearly a month since postponement, Independence Township Board reconsidered hiring a human resources director, June 23. This time, votes fell in VanderVeen’s favor.
‘I’m really excited about it,? she said. ‘I think it’s a step in the right direction.?
The board voted unanimous to approve hiring. After discussion of three candidates, the majority felt Carol Jean Gabris was best suited for the job.
VanderVeen said Gabris was still interested.
‘We haven’t negotiated all the terms of the contract yet, but hopefully we can work out all of those details,? she said.
The board approved the position on a one year contract with a pay up to $100,000 without benefits. The money would come out of the general fund.
Trustee David Lohmeier suggested the one-year contract, saying it would give them time to ‘patch the hole in their bucket? (budget).
Trustee Mark Petterson said the only way he would approve an HR director would be a one-year contract. However, he voiced his concerns about other employees of the township.
‘I don’t like the idea of sending one of them home when they have a family, and kids to feed,? he said. ‘Then they say, ‘Well you turned around and hired somebody.? That’s very tough to explain to somebody who’s already shown their dedication and hard work to this township.?
The HR director will have full authority over personnel, but will answer to the board.
Trustee Neil Wallace said he talked to a few municipal lawyers informally outside the township about using state legislation MCL 42.10 subparagraph N, ‘to assume all the duties and responsibilities as personnel director of all township employees or delegate such duties to some other officer or employee.?
The state law typically applies to superintendents, but Wallace said it could also be applied to the human resource position.
‘We’re at a level of sophistication with all these unions and all the laws that we have to deal with, where we need a pro,? said Trustee Neil Wallace. ‘Not just to guide us, but to make the calls on this stuff, and someone who doesn’t have a potential conflict of interest.?
Though Supervisor David Wagner questioned giving up personnel authority to the HR director, he said he didn’t have a problem with it.
‘I think they need to have the ability to know what they do cannot be sidestepped and that the board does have the ultimate authority, he said.