COMMERCE : City Administrator’s Hiring Power Lifted
The Commerce City Council has stripped its city administrator of authority to hire and fire the city’s top managers, triggering protests from several city officials.
Critics said they feared the council’s decision to take control of such personnel decisions from Administrator Louis Shepard would lead to hiring and firing based on political considerations rather than merit. “People are afraid of what can happen,” said Bob Sepulveda, Public Services Department director. “The City Council can hire people based on (who they) know rather than on their qualifications. Politics should stay out of hiring procedures.”
The policy was approved by a 3-2 vote.
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