Genesee County considers investigation into personnel practices at Road Commission

Genesee County, MI members of the County Board of Commissioners say that they proceed to obtain discrimination complaints from workers of the County Highway Fee two years after conducting a analysis investigation on the identical topic.

On Wednesday 5 March, the Commissioners postponed a vote from the Fee about whether or not they need to rent an impartial firm to analyze workers practices on the Highway Fee and requested their lawyer for a written opinion about their choices.

“This has all the time been a relentless subject,” says Commissioner Martin Cousineau, D-Thetford TWP. “I do not know what the reply is, however I believe we’re at the moment owing it to the staff of the highway committee and ourselves … to take a look at the problem …”

Commissioner Charles Winfrey, D-Flint, mentioned that he obtained oral and written complaints from workers who require an neutral evaluation of the highway workplace. He mentioned that commissioners want the evaluation earlier than they resolve what it could actually and will do.

Fee President Delrico Loyd mentioned that claims of retribution and discrimination require commissioners to look nearer and to make sure that the highway committee follows the regulation.

District Commissioners appoint the 5 members of the Highway Fee, however they don’t have each day supervision of its actions or bills.

As soon as chosen, highway commissioners make selections in regards to the price range and the workers of the company, together with the analysis and the hiring or dismissing of her supervisor director.

Along with the priority of workers, the highway committee has additionally heard complaints from residents who’ve accused the company of selling and approving racism.

The pastors concerned for social motion in 2022 referred to as for the resignation of members of the committee, and mentioned that two of their greatest black managers got promotion choices and wage will increase that have been obtained by comparable white officers.

Civil servants of the highway committee have beforehand talked about the allegations towards them incorrect and deceptive.

A spokeswoman for the County Highway Fee refused to touch upon the present dialogue between Commissioners on Thursday 6 March.

County Commissioners carried out their very own investigation into complaints from the highway committee in 2022.

In 2023, Loyd, D-Flint and Commissioner Shaun Shumaker, R-Fenton TWP., Labored additional with the civilian division of the workplace of the general public prosecutor to conduct interviews and to obtain feedback from workers and officers of the Highway Fee.

On Wednesday, commissioners agreed to attend two weeks earlier than they resolve their subsequent step.

Commissioner Brian Flewelling, R-Davison, mentioned he needs to know “if we have now the authorized authority to pursue this investigation right into a separate authorized entity.”

“That is each few years,” mentioned Flewelling. “No matter the issue, it should cease.”

Loyd mentioned that the county should present that it responded accurately to complaints about retribution and discrimination.

“We actually must have a non-paramination, non-political investigation,” he mentioned.

County Commissioners haven’t mentioned potential makes an attempt to take away members of Highway Fee – one thing they voted for in 2019, however ultimately fell.

“It isn’t as straightforward as what some folks assume,” mentioned Cousineau.

The Steils Act supplies for the removing of highway commissioners solely after they’ve given written notification of prices towards them and will seem for district commissioners for a whole listening to on the fees.

The Highway Fee is chargeable for supervising the development and upkeep of provincial roads and bridges and the administration of funds by means of gasoline and weight tax.