Ordinance Amendment Introduced to Establish Criteria to Use When Considering Appointments to the Human Services Department Head Position

June 01, 2023
County Board Chair Patrick Miles, (608) 886-9167
County Board

At tonight’s County Board meeting, County Board Supervisor Dana Pellebon introduced an ordinance amendment that, if approved, would establish certain criteria that County Board members will use when considering appointments to the human services department head position. 

Supervisor Pellebon said “it is our job as County Board Supervisors to ask questions of the items that come before us, especially for something as important as the Director of the largest department in Dane County’s government.  This ordinance amendment provides clearly stated criteria that will allow for transparency in the process, as well as a path to move forward on this and any future decisions on this position.” 

The ordinance amendment indicates that it is the policy of the County Board that the recruitment announcement and affirmative action provisions of sections 18.09(1)(a) and 18.09(2) shall be taken into account by the members of the board when considering appointments, along with any other criteria that the members of the board may deem relevant.  
Additional criteria includes:

•    Whether the appointee has a minimum of five years of demonstrated managerial and administrative experience in a human services related field such as social work, economic support, behavioral health, child welfare, services for the aging or those with disabilities.  
•    Whether the appointee has obtained any combination of education and training equivalent to a master’s degree in social work, public administration, behavioral science or health care administration. 
•    Whether the appointee demonstrates a knowledge of principles and practices of social casework, social welfare administration, and social research as well as community economic, social, and health resources.
•    Whether the appointee has proven fiscal management experience and experience with complex financial strategies and allocations, including oversight of multiple budgets and funding streams.

“One of the lessons learned from the last process was that the Board’s expectations have never been codified.  This ordinance amendment makes clear the Board’s expectations for candidates for the Director of Human Services,” said County Board Chair Patrick Miles.  

The ordinance amendment will be referred to committees and will then be considered by the County Board following committee action.