Lincoln County employees have been instructed to avoid in-person commission meetings out of concerns over physical safety and liability exposure. That’s according to an email from the county’s human resources director, David Collier, that was read aloud by Lincoln County Commissioner Walter Chuck during Wednesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting.
The letter says disruptive members of the public have gotten out of control during public comment, and staff fear for their well-being and safety.
“I’ve been directed by human resources, from our insurance company, that as an employee, I am not allowed to attend an in-person business meeting right now,” said County Counsel Kristin Yuille during Wednesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting.
Chuck read from Collier’s letter at Wednesday’s meeting. The letter suggested supporters of Commissioner Casey Miller were to blame, though no specific individuals were named.
“Individuals who appear to be followers or supporters of Commissioner Miller are abusing public comment and meet the definition of harassment and bullying toward our employees," reads the letter that was sent from Collier to Chuck. "I know you have tried enforcing the rules, but it has not been effective,”
Miller made no rebuttal to the accusation, though during the meeting, he made a motion to keep public comment during regular in-person meetings and to discuss a new public comment policy at the next regular meeting, but Chuck declined to second the motion, meaning it did not come to a vote.
Since the death of board chair Claire Hall in January, there are currently only two members of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, and the remaining commissioners–Chuck and Miller–have been at odds over how to appoint Hall’s replacement.
About two years ago, the commission updated its rules for public comment at meetings in response to a growing lack of decorum, but according to the letter, the situation has gotten markedly worse in recent months.
“Some employees haven’t been attending for months, even though their jobs require them to be part of the business meeting,” Yuille said during Wednesday’s meeting.
Chuck said he is easy to find and that there are many ways to communicate with county lawmakers and staff, outside of the twice-monthly business meetings.
Yuille said public comment will be allowed when legally mandated on matters such as land use issues, but otherwise, Board of Commissioners meetings will be held virtually and public comment during meetings has been suspended.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Chuck read the entire letter into the record. On Thursday, Chuck provided KLCC with a copy of the letter, as sent from Collier to Chuck:
Commissioner Chuck,
Over the past several months, it has become increasingly clear that business meetings are getting out of control due to disruptive members of the public. Safety concerns can no longer be overlooked. Many of our directors will no longer attend meetings and have asked Kristin or others to present business matters for their departments because they don’t feel safe attending. Our partners have also declined attending for similar reasons. Support staff in the office have also stopped physically attending because of the disruptions, threats to their safety, and impacts to their well-being. Well-being includes employees being able to perform their jobs free from harassment and bullying. Individuals who appear to be followers/supporters of Commissioner Miller are abusing public comment and meet the definition of harassment and bullying toward our employees. I know you have tried enforcing the rules, but it has not been effective. This toxic work environment cannot continue.
In consultation with CIS, I have notified staff that, effective immediately, business meetings will be held virtually because of safety concerns for employees and the public attending. Additionally, due to concerns for employee well-being and liability for the county, only legally required public testimony will be allowed at meetings.
Regards,
David
Separately, Collier sent a letter to several county staff. Collier provided KLCC with a copy of that letter:
Staff,
Over the past several months, it has become increasingly clear that business meetings are getting out of control due to disruptive members of the public. Safety concerns can no longer be overlooked. In consultation with CIS, I am directing the following: Effective immediately, business meetings will be held virtually because of safety concerns for employees and the public attending. Additionally, under our personnel rules, employees should be able to perform their jobs free from harassment and bullying. Due to the abuse of “public comment,” this is not happening, and only legally required public testimony will be allowed at meetings. Let me know what additional support HR can provide. Please know that you are all valued and appreciated.
David T. Collier, SHRM-SCP
Director of Human Resources
Lincoln County
