The City existing Civil Service Ordinance has not had significant amendments since 1995.  Since that time the dynamics of the City has change significantly; currently there are four (4) active bargaining union within the City for classified employees.  The City’s Civil Service Boards were an intricate part of the City’s employee’s personnel system. The boards participated in such assignments as assisting in recruitment by aiding in examinations or in settling employee’s grievances. With the institution of the labor unions, employees have elected to utilize the labor unions rather than the civil service boards to settle their grievances. As a result, the Civil Service Boards have not been used to settle an employee grievance since 2009.  Today the Civil Service Boards only function is to certify the Eligibility List. 

It became more efficient for the Human Resources Department to administer and process civil service examination. However, the chairpersons are called to sign the eligibility lists.

The Human Resources Department surveyed 8 surrounding municipalities and two (2) (West Palm Beach and Boca Raton) are utilizing Civil Service Boards. One municipality (Delray Beach) is in the process of eliminating their Civil Service Boards.  Five (5) municipalities have eliminated their Civil Services Boards and administer competencies based examinations to determine an applicant’s qualifications or skill set. We recommend that you accept and approve the proposed restatement of the Civil Service Boards Ordinance which simplifies, updates, and clarifies the Ordinance in accordance with the law, City’s practices, and changes in the City Administration.

In addition, this item was presented to the City Council as an Ordinance on First Reading on June 21, 2017.  However, it was pulled for Deliberation and Discussion, only the boards were re-instated without any amendments to the ordinance.