Purchase Clerk Hiring Generates Lively Discussion

Purchase Clerk Hiring Generates Lively Discussion

By David Howell

Editor

 

COFFEEVILLE – Supervisors voted 4-1 to hire Bonnie Hill as the county’s new purchasing clerk during a recessed meeting held in the Coffeeville courthouse on Sept. 14. Hill will replace Janet Ross Caulder, who will step down at the end of the year to assume her new role as the District 1 Justice Court Judge after winning the position in the August Democratic Primary election.

Hill’s hiring created a lively discussion when District 5 Supervisor Frank “Bubba” Tillman questioned the starting salary of Hill after she was recommended for the position by Board President Tommy Vaughn. Tillman also questioned the consideration for other applicants submitting resumes before casting the dissenting vote.

“We have all been looking at resumes and talking to folks,” Vaughn said as the topic surfaced in the meeting. “The more I studied it, the more I kept coming back to one person,” Vaughn said as he recommended hiring Hill.

Vaughn’s recommendation also included a starting salary of $31,800, the same amount Caulder earns and an increase from Hill’s current position as a deputy in the tax office. Vaughn explained Hill has 15 years experience working for the county in two separate stints and she has always been a faithful and dedicated employee. 

Following Vaughn’s comments, Tillman then launched a few questions before a formal vote on the matter.

“Is she wanting to quit you?” Tillman asked Tax Assessor/Collector Linda Shuffield.

“I am not aware she put an application in, I think she was offered the job,” Shuffield said.

“That’s not true. I did not offer her the job, I asked her if she would take it if it was offered to her,” Vaughn explained.

“What’s the difference?” Shuffield questioned.

“I did not offer it to her, that is a lot of difference,” Vaughn countered.

“Did she have a resume in your file?” Shuffield also asked.

“I don’t need a resume, I have known her since she was two years old,” Vaughn continued.

“I am just asking, she didn’t apply for it, right?” Shuffield said.

Vaughn then reiterated his recommendation for Hill, explaining Hill was the best person for the purchasing clerk job and it would offer Hill advancement with the higher paying position. 

Tillman cited opposition for Hill starting at the same salary as Caulder, who has worked for the county for over 25 years.

“Bonnie has got to be trained, just like the people who have filed the applications,” Tillman said.

“She is not a new hire, she has 15 years experience,” Vaughn countered, adding, “Janet is making less than she should be making right now.” Vaughn explained, referring to periodic raises for Caulder that lagged behind other county employees during her employment period.

Tillman also questioned the application process, explaining that taking applications from multiple candidates for the position and then hiring an existing employee was not fair. 

“We had lots people out here that was interested in the job,” Tillman added.

District 3 Supervisor Lee McMinn then voiced favor for hiring Hill based on her previous work experience at a former school job before she came back to work for the county. 

“It was a very demanding, high-pressure job. When she was working for the school system in that particular job she had parents, teachers, administrators and kids coming at her from all directions. It is literally like a circus over there. She handled the job with a smile on her face,” McMinn said. “I think she would be an excellent person in this position.”

“Linda, when did you know that she was applying?” Tillman then asked.

Vaughn then explained his contact with Hill on the position.

“I could not go offer Bonnie that job. I could not offer it if Linda would not let her go. So I had to contact her, so I said ‘listen, if the situation arose if the Board of Supervisors would hire you for this job, would you take it?’” Vaughn explained.

“Before I brought it to the board, I called Linda too and we discussed it on the phone. I wasn’t going to try and steal employees, but it was a way to promote somebody. But if you don’t want her to go?” Vaughn asked.

“How could I stop her?” Shuffield responded.

“Just tell me right now, but I don’t think you would hold an employee back to keep one?” Vaughn asked.

“You cannot. Once they are thinking about leaving, they are gone,” Shuffield said.

“That’s true, I can’t imagine not helping your employees better themselves,” Vaughn said.

“She is suited for my office, I think,” Shuffield said.

The Vote

“It’s still on the table, do I hear a second on it?” Vaughn asked about his motion to hire Hill.

“I will second it,” McMinn said.

After further discussion Suggs voted for the hire, but added that he would have liked to had more time to look at the resumes.

“I would like to go back and look at the resumes again,” Suggs said.

“They have been there for a while, I think the time has passed to look at the resumes,” Vaughn countered.

Tillman explained his vote against the hire, citing the starting salary as his reason.