Page 143 - CityofWataugaAdoptedBudgetFY24

Human Resources

Mission Statement

The Human Resources Department is committed to delivering the highest
quality of service to all departments, employees, applicants, and citizens. It
supports the City of Watauga through recruitment, training and retention of a diverse and high performing
workforce and management of employee benefits and compensation. Our goal is to make Watauga A Great
Place to Work.

Department Overview
The Human Resources Department is responsible for the following core services: Professional Development
and Performance Management, Employee and Labor Relations, Risk Management, Compensation and Benefits
and Workforce Planning. These include, but are not limited to: Recruitment, On-boarding, Workers’
Compensation, Unemployment Claims, Job Descriptions, Benefits, Employee Relations, Employment
Verification, Employee Engagement, Retirement, ADA, COBRA, FMLA, Performance Evaluations, Training,
Workers’ Compensation, Safety, Compliance with Local Government Code Chapter 143 for Firefighters and
Police Officers, Meet and Confer Negotiations, Personnel Records Management and recommending action on
complex personnel issues including disciplinary issues and termination.

Highlights/Achievements for FY2023

• Managed city wide Covid Cases – communications, case tracking and follow up.
• Managed/tracked 17 Workers Comp cases, 47 first aid injuries and 10 FMLA, and 2 vehicle accidents.
• Marketed and recruited for increased number of vacancies throughout the year.
• Successfully onboarded 42 FT/PT employees, including newly ARPA and PIP budgeted positions.
• Processed 20 terminations.
• Completed Promotional Testing for Police Sergeant and Corporal as well as Entry Exams for 3 for Police
and 2 for Fire.
• Transitioned and trained one new staff member in the department.
• Continued and enhanced the Annual Compliance training and set a quarterly schedule for completion.
• Successfully revised 9 Policies.
• Successfully completed Vacation Sell Back, Compensatory Time and Sick Leave Buy Back in an effort
to reduce the City Leave Liability.
• Collected and tracked all Performance Evaluations for new year with a March due date.
• Significantly reduced Unemployment chargebacks in 2022-2023 in comparison to previous years.
• Implemented newly budgeted City events to improve employee morale.
• Successfully facilitated 1 flu shot clinic, 2 blood drives, and the United Way Campaign week.

Goals/Objectives for FY2024

• Continue Policy revisions Vehicle Use, Tuition Reimbursement, Performance Evaluations, Workers
Compensation, and Harassment Policy.
• Implement Employee Referral Bonus’ and Public Works Sign on Bonus programs to assist with
recruitment.
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• Reimplement a 2 Orientation for new employees.
• Maintain Compliance in Employment Law and Civil Service, revise local rules for recruiting efforts.
• Implement Performance Management System for tracking employee performance and goal
achievements as well as evaluations.
• Continue improvements on employee morale and making Watauga A Great Place to Work.
• Bring back the committee for Vehicle Accident reviews and Safety training.
• Create and conduct supervisor training.
• Compile a turnover reporting method to evaluate areas of concern for retention.
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