SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1008

                     AS OF MARCH 11, 1993

Brief Description:  Revising hiring procedures for cities and towns.

SPONSORS: Representatives Romero, H. Myers and Springer

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Staff:  Katie Healy (786‑7784)

Hearing Dates: March 18, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The city council of a third class city prescribes the duties and compensation of all officers by ordinance.  The mayor of a town appoints a clerk and a marshall, and may appoint other subordinate officers as provided by ordinance.  All appointive officers hold office at the mayor's pleasure.  The town council determines by ordinance the salaries of the mayor, the council, the treasurer, and the treasurer-clerk.  The compensation of all other officers is fixed by the town council.  Although the powers could be implied, there is no specific statutory authorization for the legislative body of a third class city or town to set the compensation for their employees, or that the mayor of a town can hire and fire its employees. 

When determining veterans' preference in civil service examinations, veterans are given 10 percent credit toward the entrance examinations.  The statutes pertaining to civil service exams for city police officers and city fire fighters contain credit provisions for veterans that are inconsistent with this general statute.

SUMMARY:

The city council of a third class city determines the duties and fixes the compensation of employees, as well as of all officers.  Employees are included in the list of persons appointed by the mayor of a town.  These employees are not subject to confirmation by the town council.  The salary of town employees is fixed by the town council.

The credit given a veteran for competitive examinations is structured so that one category receives 10 percent credit, and two other categories receive 5 percent credit.  A veteran not receiving any veterans' retirement payments and taking a competitive examination is entitled to 10 percent credit.  A veteran taking a competitive examination and receiving veterans' retirement payments gets 5 percent credit.  A 5 percent credit is given to a veteran recalled to active military service for one year or more, and who was previously employed with the state or any political subdivision, city, or town.  This credit is given for the veteran's first promotional examination only.

Several technical changes are made and language is made gender neutral.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested