PUD considers changing policy

EPHRATA — In rare cases, relatives working at Grant PUD will be allowed to supervise, appoint and audit other relatives’ work if policy changes are approved next Monday.

Changing the district’s current policy allows for “greater flexibility in employment decisions,” according to a staff memo to commissioners.

After discussion Monday, commissioners tabled action on the matter.

Grant PUD Commissioner Greg Hansen said he wanted more information about the existing policy before making a decision.

Grant PUD Linecrew Foreman Joel Ortiz, with the bargaining unit, disagreed with the proposed changes.

He said the current policy “mirrors the majority of most companies’ nepotism policies.”

“It was put in place to prevent favoritism, conflict of interest and any unethical practices,” he said.

Ortiz explained the current policy states the district can hire relatives of employees unless one of the six conditions exist.

But the way the revision is written, it states relatives can be hired, even if one of the six conditions exist, he added.

According to the policy, the conditions are: “such employment would violate the Code of Ethics for Municipal Officers; one relative would have the authority or practical power to supervise, appoint, remove of discipline another; necessary in the case of district officers to avoid the reality or appearance of improper influence or favor; necessary in the case of district officers to protect district confidentiality; one relative would be responsible for auditing the work of another; or other circumstances create an actual or reasonably foreseeable conflict between the district’s interests and those of the relatives involved.”

“The revision brought forth today does a complete 180,” Ortiz said.

The changes open the door to favoritism, conflict of interest and unethical practices, he said.

Ortiz claim there is a bargaining unit position open that’s been unofficially awarded to someone who would have a relative as their immediate supervisor.

Grant PUD General Manager Tim Culbertson said there are pros and cons to both sides. The district has been discussing the issue for two years, he said.

The old policy had its share of criticism as well, he said, but didn’t elaborate.

Culbertson said pay and performance issues would be handled by the director.

Grant PUD Commissioner Bob Bernd said there are about 230 employees related to each other at the utility.

He said he wants the number to be reduced because they could be holding important and hard to fill positions.