Hiring freeze lifted

It essentially became a hiring freeze in name only, so Glenn County supervisors voted to end it Tuesday after six months of waiver requests by department heads.

The board approved the hiring freeze May on 15 to combat a large budget deficit that later was resolved.

Department heads such as Sheriff Larry Jones to Public Works Director John Linhart brought hiring requests to the board that were approved to replace personnel who retired or left for other positions.

Chairman Steve Soeth asked about lifting the freeze since the board only froze one position while it was in effect, he said.

He suggested it was no longer needed since any new positions or jobs added to the hiring list would have to come to the board anyway.

Supervisor Leigh McDaniel agreed saying department heads should be allowed to run their departments as needed.

But Supervisor Dwight Foltz did not think it a good idea to lift the freeze.

"I think we should wait until after the November election," Foltz said. "If Proposition 30 does not pass, we don't know what will happen."

Gov. Jerry Brown says passage of the proposition is critical to keeping California's schools and counties going by bringing in tax revenues.

If it is not approved, state money to counties and schools will be cut, officials said.

"I'd hate to see somebody hired and then have a lay off a month after their employment," Foltz said.

McDaniel said if the proposition fails, the county's budget likely would start over again in November as it regrouped.

"I say remove it and let the department heads do what they need to do," McDaniel said.

With that, Soeth moved to discontinue the freeze and McDaniel seconded the motion.

The board voted 3-1 to lift the freeze with Foltz dissenting. Supervisor Mike Murray did not attend Tuesday's meeting.