Highlighted by stern comments from Mayor Bill Godbold, cityfathers expressed support for departments heads but also said theywould be held responsible for getting more work out of slackingemployees.

“We’re losing control over our employees,” Godbold said. “Wewant to put it back where it ought to be. It’s just thatsimple.”

In opening a special called meeting Wednesday to discusspersonnel issues and solid waste problems, Godbold bemoaned asituation that has undermined department heads’ authority overtheir employees.

“We’re not getting the cooperation out of the people working forus, particularly out in the street area,” Godbold said.

Godbold mentioned instances of employees being seen at storeswhile supposedly on break. He even mentioned some cases ofemployees buying beer while on the clock.

Officials discussed an upcoming personnel policy revision thatwill better define the chain of command and hiring and firingprocedures. The revision — to be included in a new employeehandbook currently being developed — is expected to be acted uponat a personnel policy meeting next week, said City Attorney JoeFernald.

Godbold said department heads would be just as guilty if theyknowingly allow employees to disregard orders and do things thatare not right. Indicating that employees can sense disagreementbetween them, the mayor also told department heads to work ongetting along better.

“If you can’t work together, get on down the road. We don’t needyou,” Godbold said.

Fernald said the policy will establish the board of aldermen asthe top level, followed by the mayor with superintendent controlover day-to-day operations and then departments heads. Personneldecisions are to be made by the board based on recommendations anddocumentation from the mayor and department heads.

“Everybody has an obligation here,” said Fernald, stressing thatinstances of employee misconduct be documented.

In years past, after employees were disciplined by departmentheads, there were instances where the employee would contact hisalderman before the matter came before the full board fordiscussion. Aldermen adopted a policy against that practice severalyears ago, but they are looking to reinforce it with the policyrevision.

Under the law, employees accused of misconduct may be suspendedwith pay pending possible termination by the board. Concerned aboutthe costs of paying suspended employees, aldermen said specialboard meetings should be held as soon as possible after thesuspension so they could make a final decision.

Department heads were receptive to Wednesday’s discussion. Theyasked several questions about procedures, including the possibilityof using tape recorders while interacting with employees and how topursue suspicions of employees drinking while on the job.

Employees will be given copies of the new handbook and will haveto acknowledge that they have received it and read it. JimmyGriffin, street department superintendent, said that would giveemployees a better understanding of their jobs and the consequencesfor not doing them.

“They’ll know what you expect of them and what we can do assupervisors,” Griffin said.

Griffin also encouraged aldermen who see employee misconduct tocontact their supervisor.

“We can’t be every where at one time,” Griffin said.

Alderman at large Les Bumgarner suggested a situation where themayor could handle some decisions independently of the board. Hereferred to situations where employee problems were unsubstantiatedor not properly documented.

“We don’t need to meet every (time) … especially if it’s notdone right,” Bumgarner said.

While city officials were hopeful the new policy action willaddress problems and curb timeclock abuse, they said it will takesome time to get familiar with procedures and ensure that they arefollowed.

“It’s a long process, and it’s going to take everybody a whileto make sure we’re doing it right,” Bumgarner said.