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MINUTES
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
February 17, 1993 , ---, ,. -.,, 1n. L_4
Tapes #4-93 & 5-93
The Weld County Council met in special session in full conformity with the Weld
County Home Rule Charter in the First Floor Assembly Room at the Centennial
Center, 915 Tenth Street, Greeley, Colorado, on Wednesday, February 17, 1993, at
7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
The meeting was called to order by President Young, and the following members
were present, constituting a quorum of the members thereof: President Young,
Councilman Gardner and Councilman Orr. Councilwoman Ott was excused.
Also present were Weld County Sheriff Ed Jordan, Rick Dill, Mike Miller, Patrick
Armijo, the Council Secretary and approximately 90 Sheriff's Department employees
and citizens.
OLD BUSINESS:
WELD COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION
President Young began the meeting by explaining that this was the Council's
opportunity to talk with the Sheriff, after which the persons in attendance would
have a chance to address questions to the Council.
Let the record reflect that Vice President Campbell is now present at 7:10 p.m.
He explained the format of the meeting, which was that Sheriff Jordan would be
answering specific questions previously submitted to him by Council members:
1. Please give an overview of the reorganization. Who is in charge of the
Sheriff's Office at any given moment (is there an undersheriff, how do deputies
and other line workers get direction from managers?)
Sheriff Jordan referred to his Reorganization Proposal in which two levels of
supervisors have been eliminated, thus bringing five levels to two levels. Much-
needed additional staff (line workers) have been added to the jail. The Sheriff
had consulted with the County attorney and the personnel director regarding the
position of undersheriff, and the opinion of both was that the elimination of
this rank did comply with both the Weld County Home Rule Charter and Colorado
state statutes. In reality, there is no change from the past in that there
remains an undersheriff, but as an appointment and not a rank. Rick Dill is the
current undersheriff, but is subject to change by personnel order. The only time
the undersheriff could come into play is by the Sheriff's incapacitation or
death, which has not happened within the past six years. President Young asked
whether all department members know that Rick Dill is the undersheriff, i.e.
whether that information is posted in a prominent place. Sheriff Jordan replied
that all department employees are notified of personnel orders through electronic
mail and that the manager on duty is posted daily using this method.
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Weld County Council Minutes
Page 2
February 17, 1993
Administrator Rick Dill proceeded to explain the reorganization as it affects the
jail. Pre-organization, there were four supervisory positions for two shifts
covering 24 hours a day, each managing 14 people and approximately 170 - 200
inmates, a considerable responsibility. Now there are eight managers supervising
four shifts, with two managers covering each shift. In order to accomplish this,
some managers have been reassigned to jail positions. However, additional
training is to begin this month. He explained that the issue of rotating
managers is still open and that management teams in the jail and operations had
been subdivided into three areas prior to reorganization. In response to
Councilman Orr's question of whether there had been any employee input available,
Mr. Dill stated that managerial input had been an ongoing process since August
1992 and did not know whether managers had received input from line workers
during that time. From Vice President Campbell 's query, it was learned that 11
line workers had been gained from reorganizing; as a reply to President Young's
question, one of the two managers on duty designates himself to Rick Dill as the
lead manager.
2. What were the reasons for reorganization of the Sheriff's Office? Who had
input into the plan as it was developed? Are there plans now underway to
organize a Weld County Department of Public Safety for all of the County and the
municipalities within it?
Sheriff Jordan explained that the reorganization was not spur-of-the-moment and
that he had been thinking about how to improve the organization for at least two
years. He stated it was completely consistent with his 1986 campaign priorities
and that he alone is responsible for the reorganization. In implementing the
reorganization, he was dealing with the time constraints of the County budget
process in addition to the constraints of needing additional personnel and
training in the jail. There are no current plans for promoting a Weld County
Department of Public Safety; however he does ;;e_ieve in efficient government and
not duplicating services. In this vein, vehicle maintenance and evidence storage
have already been combined with the Greeley Police Department, and the
possibility of combined training, animal control and a regional juvenile
detention facility are being explored.
3. Some documents I have seen refer to the .e-eorganization as a reduction in
force for management level positions. If that is true, were the personnel
policies referring to reduction in force followed?
The reorganization was never considered a reduction in force by either Sheriff
Jordan cr the County Attorney. Although some ranks, such as undersheriff,
sergeant and lieutenant were eliminated, different ranks (managers and
administrator) now exist.
4. Has this type of reorganization been successful in other counties or
municipalities? If so, what conditions contributed to their success?
The Boulder Police Department and the Larimer County Sheriff's Department have
undergone reorganization; however, no known agency has changed to the extent that
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 3
February 17, 1993
Weld County has, although Larimer County did eliminate its undersheriff.
5. Has this type of reorganization been unsuccessful in other counties or
municipalities? If so, what conditions contributed to their failure?
Different organizations have different needs, so it is difficult to evaluate
success or failure. Sheriff Jordan did speak to the Boulder Police Chief, who
stated that the reorganization is still in progress and is at times smooth and
others not.
6. How deep is the morale problem in the Sheriff' s Office (both in Operations
and Corrections) ? Would you term it a "significant" problem and, if so, what
plans do you have to remedy this problem?
Sheriff Jordan said that morale is an individual matter and that the Sheriff's
Office is presently dealing with resistance to change. His job is to dispense
information and help the employees deal with change. He stated that he was aware
there would be two critical points--one at the time of the announcement and one
in January when the actual pay reductions took place. He continues to stress the
positives in the organization and believes improved communication is an answer.
Meetings between him and three to four deputies have been initiated in order to
answer questions. He expressed concern that improvements in this area are needed
and intends to address the issue further.
7. Is communication between deputies, managers and the Sheriff a problem? If
so, what plans do you have to remedy this problem?
Sheriff Jordan stated that communication can always improve. He has an open door
policy but feels that it is not as successful as he would like to see. He
believes a problem does exist, but one of the seated outcomes of reorganization
is to improve communication. Possible solutions have begun, one being the
smaller group meetings as mentioned above. Councilman Orr brought up concerns
the Council had heard at its previous meeting regarding whether personnel
policies were being followed and whether the Commissioners had been involved in
the personnel process . Sneriff Jordan replie.i -hat personnel policies had not
changed, and the only time the Commissioners -•cLb be involved is in having the
final say in firing during the grievance proceiure.
8. How many inter-departmental lawsuits have ceen filed within the past three
years?
Two--one employee-generated suit and one volunteer suit against Sheriff Jordan
and the department. Sheriff Jordan was/is being represented by attorneys other
than the County attorney. The legal costs arc paid by the County through an
insurance pool. This is considered accepted procedure in these circumstances.
9. Explain the position of the Training Designer--duties, salary, special work
arrangements.
Weld County Council Minutes
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February 17, 1993
Mike Miller, her supervisor, answered this question. He explained that from 1987
until May 1992, there was a Training Coordinator position which has been
eliminated upon creation of the Training Designer position. The difference in
the positions is that a need for analyzing and assessing training needs and
designing in-house training programs, especially for the jail, was determined.
In addition to facilitating and coordinating training locations, recording
training documentation and evaluating training, this person was hired to bring
consistencies into training policies and procedures and design new training
programs for the department. The salary for this position is $2,937 per month,
pay grade 46, step A. The number of hours required is the same for anyone else
in this grade. This is a labor-intensive process as many graphics are needed and
must be checked for consistency. As such, some of this work can be done off-
site. There is no reimbursement for travel expenses (this person lives in
Denver) , and she does not present her own training programs.
10. You have indicated a willingness to have the County Council audit the
Sheriff's Office. What specific areas or problems should be addressed?
Sheriff Jordan stated the Council would be we?come to look into his personal
expenses and would cooperate with any areas being audited, including inter-
departmental communications.
11. What is the grievance procedure and who sets the guidelines for it?
A copy of the current grievance procedure, set by the County Commissioners, was
distributed to each Council member. Each employee in the Department has been
issued a copy of said grievance procedure.
12. If the purpose of the new plan was to inc.tease service and get more staff
in the jail, why were transfers :nade that seer: r.ct to fit the plan? Example:
People moved into new positions of management. ,pith no experience.
All current managers within the Department wdr:' previously sergeants and, as
such, possess the experience needed.
13. Explain the vo'unteer program and its I__ ..:e in the Sheriff' s Department.
Approximately 300 volunteers provide various szrvices to the citizens of Weld
County, such as public relations aad security for the Independence Stampede and
Grover rodeo, which would otherwise not be p_ovided without the posse. The
volunteer program will remain a viable part of the Sheriff 's Office. A program
is still being developed with a supervisor liaison for the volunteer component.
The Council was presented with a list of programs and policies implemented at the
Sheriff's Office as a result of input by employees. President Young then thanked
Sheriff Jordan for so generously sharing his time with the Council this evening.
Discussion among Council members ensued regarding making a decision on dealing
with this issue. President Young recommended chat the Council seek the outside
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 5
February 17, 1993
assistance of a performance auditor to deal specifically with allegations raised.
Councilman Gardner remarked that criminal allegations should be brought to the
District Attorney. Councilman Orr maintained that the grievance process had not
been utilized yet and questioned whether the Council should take on the expense
of an audit. Vice President Campbell was in _avor of waiting for a while on
making a decision to audit. He then made a motion for the Council President to
contact the Center for Improvement of Public Management for information regarding
the cost to present their Win-Win Conflict Resolution seminar and to make a
recommendation regarding inter-departmental communication. Seconded by
Councilman 0rr, vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Royce Clark voiced support for the Sheriff and his reorganization; Don Mason
agreed. Former County Councilman Frank Stewart commented on Weld County's
exemplary Sheriff's Department and looking forward to the future. Amber Clark
inquired whether Council members had telephoneu persons in attendance at the
Council' s February 3 meeting. Vice President Campbell had made eight or nine
calls and reported that some employees were disgruntled and some not, but all
agreed that communication is a problem. He continued by stating it appeared that
people were fearful of repercussions or retaliation and that it would not be
possible to obtain any real answers or improve casmunications in any concrete way
until this issue is dealt with. President Young contacted 12 to 15 people and
received similar responses as Vice President Ca::nbell, including his perception
of a "fear factor." Councilman Gardner commeat<c that the three or four persons
he spoke with were willing to talk but concern for their jobs was an overriding
factor. Wayne Hoover then came forward and stared that any criminal allegations
should be taken to the foreman of the Grand Jury.
The foregoing minutes are not intended to be u verbatim account of this meeting,
but rather a brief account. Anyone interestea 1.1 listening to audio tapes of the
above meeting may contact the Council secretary at 356-4000, ext. 4780.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting wr.s adjourned at 10: L„ p.m.
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Date Approved David L. Young, Presid
S .r.dra Nagel , Secretary
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