Help with clarifying the role of a City Mgr.

[tralfaz]

OHIO

Can a City Manager also be the director of the Civil Service Board, having complete power over their rule or regulation making abilities?

I am trying to understand how the City Manager can appoint a person, other than himself or another Civil Service member to a Fire Dept. promotional exam, who does not know or adhere to the rules the Civil Service Board are supposed to enforce.

Who or where is the best place to learn how to figure out what is right or wrong, legal or illegal? I have been reading the City's Charter, City O.R.C. and State O.R.C. and have yet to come up with reasons to sell the Fire Dept's. Union that it is extremely important that compromising the rules will cause more problems on the next promotional exam.

This all boils down to Civil Service Rules during a promotional exam for Fire Dept. Captain being administered way outside of the prescribed Civil Service Rules, by the City Manager appointing the HR Director who ignored the testing procedures for promotion. It's created quite a mess.

[seniorjudge]

Q: Who or where is the best place to learn how to figure out what is right or wrong, legal or illegal?

A: Your state statutes. Use either Google or go to your local library.

[tralfaz]

There seems to be a gray area in the midst of trying to follow State to City O.R.C to City Charter to City Civil Service Rules. None of the state exactly what I am looking for. Which is can a City Manager control the Civil Service without the Civil Service board having a say?

[Mark1075]

Originally Posted by tralfaz

There seems to be a gray area in the midst of trying to follow State to City O.R.C to City Charter to City Civil Service Rules. None of the state exactly what I am looking for. Which is can a City Manager control the Civil Service without the Civil Service board having a say?

In my city, the City Manager does not set the criteria for the Civil Service Commission...directly. Here is how it works here. The CSC sets its rules and regs according to theirs and the city's guidlines. They however, must have the rules approved by City Council, which here is indirectly run by who else but the City Manager. Council will vote however he tells them to...period. The City Manager does not have a voting position however he may make recommendations to council pertaining in this case to approving or denying Civil Service rules or amendments.

As far as promotional exams are concerned, the CSC should be the sole adminstrator aside from recommendations from the Chief and his staff. If your department has is affiliated with the I.A.F.F. than they would be a great resource to ask in regards to the powers of your city manager. This stuff is touchy and varies state to state.

In my experience, the CSC will concede to #1 The Fire Chief, #2 City Manager, and #3 City Council. I have yet to know them to be on the side of the Fire Fighters although I'm sure that outside of our Mayberry form of government good commissions do exist. Fortunately the commission does exist to protect us and our jobs.


Keep doing your homework and get involved with your local.