Ohio Municipal League
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April 2, 2003

Susan J. Cave

Executive Director

Ohio Municipal League

The Civil Service Review Commission chaired by Representative Steve Buehrer was one of the hardest working state commissions that I have seen in several years. The representation on the commission was broad based and the hearings before the full commission and its sub committees were very inclusive and managed to cover throughly what we believe to be a statute in great need of modernization.

Non-charter cities and charter cities which have adopted in whole or part the provisions of Chapter 124 are subject to some or all of the state’s civil service laws; villages, those municipal corporations with less than 5,000 population are not covered by state civil service statutes. Cities perform a variety of services to their residents and persons visiting or working within their boundaries. Because cities need employees with a wide range of skills they must complete with the private sector to obtain the best labor force possible for the taxpayers. We favor a statute that reflects 21^st century practices so that cities may be more competitive in both recruitment and hiring.

When the report of the Civil Service Review Commission was finalized the membership of the Ohio Municipal League voted to include a statement of support for the recommendations contained therein in the League’s Statement of Legislative Policy.

The following provisions of HB 94 will be particularly helpful to cities:

...Section 124.44 - Chief of Police - Appointment

Permissive authority for of a city to provide by ordinance or resolution an alternative selection procedure for chief of police is proposed as an option to the prescribed statutory procedures. This is an important management position in city government structure. Furthermore the position of chief of police is of increasing importance in these times of providing additional homeland security.

...Section 124.44 - Promotions - Police Department

The proposal would authorize the appointing authority to choose from a list of the top three scoring applicants rather than a list of one as under current law. A list of three is the rule for promotions of other employees and gives the appointing authority additional flexibility in choosing the best qualified candidate.

...Section 124.43 - Original Appointments - Patrol Officer and Firefighter

This provision allows for original appointments to be made from an eligible list containing the names of all applicants passing the examination. This provision should be helpful to cities in attaining a police and fire department that more clearly reflects the cities values and demographics.

..Section 124. 45 - Fire Chief - Appointment

Permissive authority for a city to provide by ordinance or resolution for the appointment of a fire chief is proposed. (See comments under Chief of Police)

..Section 124. 48 - Promotions - Fire Departments

This proposal would allow for the eligible list to contain the top 3 scoring candidates on the promotional examination rather than one as in current law. (See comments under Promotions - Police Departments)

...Section 124. 321 - Furlough - 70 Days