[Adopted 11-19-2019 (P19-03)]
This Policy addresses the governance of the County and supplements,
but does not supplant, other laws and rules that prescribe the legal
responsibilities of County officials and employees. County staff is
organized in a hierarchical structure, and works under the direction
and control of several layers of supervision and management culminating
with the County Administrator who reports directly to the Levy Court.
A. It is expected that all employees/officials will respond to and communicate
their concerns and requests in a manner consistent with the chain
of command. This shall be accomplished by adherence to the following
rules:
(1) Levy Court Commissioners are individually authorized to communicate
and inquire about routine constituent and/or County-related issues
with the County Administrator, any Row Officer, any Department/Office
Director, any Levy Court-appointed official serving on a County committee,
board, and/or commission, or County employee, but recognizing that
the County Administrator and/or responsible Department/Office Director
or office holder is best positioned to provide the most accurate,
complete information on a topic.
(2) Officials appointed by Levy Court Commissioners to statutory or advisory
committees, boards and/or commissions are individually authorized
to communicate and inquire about routine advisory committee-related
issues with the responsible Department/Office Director or assigned
staff member. Any official or formal inquiry should be made at a regular
meeting as prescribed in the respective bylaws.
(3) The County Administrator or his/her designee is individually authorized
to investigate, communicate, or inquire about routine and/or specific
County-related issues with any Row Officer, any Department/Office
Director, any Levy Court-appointed official serving on a County committee,
board, and /or commission, or County employee.
(4) The County Administrator, Department Directors/Row Officers and in
their absence Assistant Directors/Deputy Row Officers are ultimately
responsible for compliance with County policies, rules, and procedures,
and for directing, managing, and communicating with assigned staff.
Each is expected to and responsible for carefully evaluating, prioritizing,
and sharing important relevant information in a timely fashion with
the County Administrator, Committee chair, and Levy Court Commissioners,
and as necessary with assigned staff.
(5) If an employee/official has any concern regarding the job performance,
inappropriate behavior, unethical conduct, or other personnel-related
matter by another County employee or official, he/she is to report
the concern directly to his/her immediate supervisor or that individual's
supervisor or a Levy Court Commissioner. If there is no person in
the chain of command to report to, the employee/official should report
the concern to the Personnel Director or County Administrator.
(6) An employee speaking before other public bodies or to community organizations
should always be cognizant that he/she is representing the County
and is expected to professionally communicate accurate information
authorized by the County without interjecting his/her own personal
opinion or beliefs regarding its content. Employees are expected to
promptly report non-routine contacts from the media or news outlets
to the County Administrator and/or Public Information Officer. The
County Administrator will communicate with Levy Court Commissioners
and appropriate Department Directors to determine an appropriate spokesperson/response.
B. Direct contact or inquiry with a Levy Court-appointed Attorney by
any Row Officer, any Department/Office Director, any Levy Court-appointed
official serving on a County committee, board, and/or commission,
or County employee for legal advice or legal opinion incurring a fee
shall first be authorized by the County Administrator, except that
routine, procedural, minor legal expense, or emergent legal inquiries
may be delegated to Department/Office Directors and Row Officers,
and specific responsible staff, including the Personnel Director for
confidential disciplinary matters, investigations, litigation, and
labor relations. Credible threats of legal action or potential litigation
shall be promptly reported to the County Administrator and Personnel
Director.
C. Complaints alleging a violation of this policy shall be directed
to the County Administrator or a Department Head. Upon receipt of
a complaint, the County Administrator or Department Head shall determine
the appropriate course of action to resolve the issue, and may initiate
disciplinary action, if necessary or applicable, to prevent future
incidents.