Human resources director defends actions

VINTON — Benton County Human Resources Director Sue Wilber read a statement at the Benton County Board of Supervisors’ meeting last week, answering concerns brought up in previous meetings about her office’s role.

Wilber said she wanted to clarify concerns that have come up.

The county implemented a performance review policy and all-staff reviews, which have not been done for many years, said Wilber. She said this is “best practice” and was brought up at the Iowa State Association of Counties.

A countywide texting program was approved to improve communications. Wilber said this came up in her job review because of a lack of communication and reaching some of the remote sheds and disconnectedness.

Wilber also said job postings were updated to make them more attractive to applicants and to make them compliant. Wilber facilitated and helped in the hiring of about 10 positions.

The county resurrected the Wellness Committee, which had been dormant for some time, and created a safety committee and a handbook committee, said Wilber.

They switched the flex spending vendor saving the county money. The county reintroduced the annual county meeting, started handing out service pins and implemented countywide challenges to promote team building and employee management.

They are in the process of converting to online benefits enrollment and electronic timing attendance and leave tracking.

Wilber also wanted to address misconceptions and misunderstandings, she said.

First, it was during a meeting and reported in print that Wilber ordered information technology to take cameras down. She does not oversee IT and she doesn’t have the authority to tell the IT person what to do, she said.

IT reports to the board of supervisors.

Wilber was asked by the board to investigate the situation. Her job description says she must look into things at the board’s request, she said.

If there are violations of the handbook, Wilber is asked to look into them and address them accordingly, she said.

Responding to allegations that she was going after individuals or that she had an ax to grind, Wilber said she is obligated to look into complaints brought to her, especially if a law is being broken.

Part of her job is to protect the county from liability and risk, Wilber said.

Wilber said she’s been accused of wanting to take over payroll, but she said he simply want to protect the county from liability, such as when the county takes deductions from an employee that the employee didn’t authorize.

Payroll laws keep changing, and they will only get more complicated, Wilber said.

As for money spent on legal fees, Wilber said the county attorney sometimes directs her to reach out to outside legal services because his specialty is not employment law.

Outside legal help also provides a perspective or opinion on a matter they are handling.

Wilber said her attendance at board meetings has been questioned. This was a recommendation from the legal department, she said.

Wilber is learning a new job and sometimes things are brought up in meetings that she can follow up on. She takes notes to increase her knowledge and understand things that are brought up, she said.

She also addressed letters sent to the previous board of health. She said this falls under “other duties as assigned.”

Wilber also talked addressed concerns that she still works with her previous employer. The arrangement was OK with the committee that interviewed her, she said, and numerous people have outside employment.

As for the request for part-time help, Wilber said that when the position was created several years ago, the goal was to have a second full-time person after the department was up and running.

She encouraged people who have questions to stop by her office.

County Auditor Hayley Rippel also sought clarification on outside employment and businesses, communication, new W-4 forms and payroll issues.

Rippel said that baking cookies is not an outside business and that payroll issues can’t be addressed unless they are brought to her office.

Rippel said her office needed outside legal help to address policies during COVID. County supervisors decided the county needed an inside person, and the human resources position was created.

Other business

Supervisors set the amended budget hearing date for April 23 at 9:15 a.m.

Larry Hlas, Van Horne Fire Department, asked to use Local Option Sales and Service Tax funds for a breathing air compressor system for the Van Horne Fire Department. This high pressure compressor is used for hazardous air environment.

They also plan a fill station. The supervisors approved paying 10% of the cost.

Shelby Williams of Benton County Conservation received approval for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds and said the department is still taking bids for a water distribution system at Wildcat, using American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Donations are coming in for the Wildcat Bluff Addition project. Benton County Conservation is partnering with Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and will add about 180 acres immediately to the east of Wildcat Bluff.

This property includes ideal timber habitat, upland and lowland habitat and additional Cedar River bank.

The board approved hiring a paralegal in the county attorney’s office. Derek Marsh, from Virginia, starts at $50,000, June 1.