This week, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners convened a workshop to review and update the county’s policy manual. The meeting focused on ensuring that county policies reflect a commitment to integrity, operational efficiency, and accountability. Attendees included the County Commissioners, the County Attorney, and key department heads from Human Resources, Finance, Risk Management, and Information Technology.
Central to the discussion was the topic of honesty and dishonesty in employee conduct. The Commissioners scrutinized existing policies addressing falsification of information and workplace dishonesty. While the current language provides some guidance, the Board debated whether additional provisions were needed to more clearly define and enforce expectations. The effort underscores the importance of maintaining transparency and ethical behavior among county employees—a standard that the Commissioners themselves may need to exemplify as policy leaders.
The meeting also addressed travel and reimbursement procedures, with a focus on cost-efficiency and liability mitigation. The Commissioners reviewed guidelines for the use of personal versus county-owned vehicles, emphasizing the need to prioritize the most economical option. To qualify for mileage reimbursement, employees would be required to provide proof of insurance. Additionally, the Board proposed stricter approval processes for out-of-state and air travel, suggesting that all such trips require Board authorization, not just those involving department directors. Liability concerns related to privately owned all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) used for county business were also discussed, with recommendations for requiring driver certification and insurance coverage.
Technology use, particularly the handling of public records, was another significant topic. The IT Director proposed implementing a mobile data management system to archive communications from personal devices used for county business. The discussion revealed concerns about employee privacy and the practicality of enforcing such measures. While the Board acknowledged these challenges, they reached a consensus to encourage the exclusive use of county-issued devices for official communications. Policies regarding text messaging and public records compliance were also refined, including the potential use of personal device agreements to ensure accountability.
Other matters included the Board’s role as an appellate authority in disciplinary actions, where impartiality and fairness were emphasized. Benefits eligibility thresholds for part-time employees were reviewed, with the Commissioners considering whether current standards are equitable. Concerns about the Board’s involvement in departmental policies prompted discussions about better oversight and transparency. To that end, the idea of creating a centralized policy repository, potentially managed by the Risk Management Department, was proposed. The Board also explored requiring employees to formally acknowledge their understanding of key policies through signed agreements.
The workshop marked a step forward in refining the county’s policy framework, with the Commissioners aiming to align policies with operational needs and ethical standards. The Board will reconvene on November 19 to finalize the remaining sections of the policy manual, with plans to share the completed draft with bargaining units for further review. As the Commissioners focus on strengthening integrity within the county workforce, the hope is that they, too, will lead by example, embodying the principles they seek to instill in their policies.
