NORTH WILDWOOD — City Council passed a resolution Aug. 19 supporting legislation that would allow municipalities to opt out of the Civil Service System.
The system is where individuals are hired on the basis of merit, which is proven by the use of competitive examinations and the process of promoting and hiring government employees based on their ability to perform a job, rather than on their political connections.
Mayor Bill Henfey said that when Civil Service was originally created it was certainly needed, but now it was time to move on to something better.
City Administrator Ray Townsend said the system had provided a layer of protection to public employees. In today’s work environment, Townsend said, unions and employment practices have taken its place.
He called the Civil Service System “just another layer of government” that was “outdated.”
Without the Civil Service System, municipalities would be able to hire new employees similar to private businesses. Additionally, an interested applicant won’t have to quit their current job before taking the civil service test.
Townsend said that even without civil service, there would always be a level of protection for municipal workers, due to employment guidelines that are already in place.
Henfey said that the city would benefit from opting out of the system because it will keep the state governing body from having complete control of the local municipal employment process.
Contact Suit at: (609) 886-8600 ext. 25 or lsuit@cmcherald.com
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