WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — On Monday night, Warner Robins city leaders had an employee-focused agenda.
The City of Warner Robins has put a lot of work into recruitment and retention, from bonuses to an increase in employee wages. Mayor LaRhonda Patrick says they've started to see some improvement, especially in the police department.
Monday at council, they swore in three new officers.
However, Patrick says there's still a need for department leaders, and they want to build a successful workforce moving forward.
The city is looking for ways to get the most bang for their buck when it comes to their employees.
"We are exploring other ways to get the information that we need," Patrick said.
That includes continuing their contract with a part-time human resources consultant to help with a pay scale study. Despite the name, its not focusing on money. They are looking at what positions they may need to cut, or start hiring for.
"Our pay scale study is more about maximizing the workforce that we have. Making sure that our positions make sense," Patrick said.
They also want to make sure their second-in-commands are ready to step up to the plate. The council voted on an ordinance to make it the city administrator's job to appoint assistant department directors instead of the former director.
"To make sure that person is the best person, not just the longest serving person. To make sure the expertise is there," Patrick said.
She adds that all the current assistant directors will keep their positions. This is just a tool they plan to use moving forward.
While they're trying to get the best number two's, they still need to fill several top-dog spots.
"The only ones that were actively advertising right now, are the ones that were going to have the greatest need to find on the outside," she said.
Patrick says they will likely hire a Building and Inspection Director, Human Resources Director and City Administrator from within the city. That leaves them with two big needs.
"That's gonna be the Fire Chief and the Finance Director," Patrick said.
Right now they have someone acting as the Interim Fire Chief, and they're actively conducting interviews.
However, Patrick says the finance director is a vacant position.
"We've had some candidates that look great on paper, but our auditors are adamant about telling us we have to find someone who may not be a CPA, that's not a main concern for us at this point, but municipal accounting is and that is hard to find," she said.
Patrick says at this point pay isn't the issue, it's finding a qualified person who will work with their software.
"We can not ignore the fact that we are not attractive as an employer when you're finance director would have to sift through papers to find answers and deplore reports that are built on excel spreadsheets," she said.
Mayor Patrick says they are excited about the pool of candidates they have started interviewing for their Fire Cheif. She says the Assistant Fire Chief will be appointed by the city administrator. Patrick says an assistant police chief should be announced soon.
Mayor Patrick says when it comes to department vacancies, they are still seeing a big need in public works and utilities.