Staff writer
At a work session Monday, the Marion City Council discussed how to conduct staff evaluations. Intern city administrator Roger Holter called for the special work session at the previous meeting to discuss aspects of his new position.
Council member Jerry Dieter was not present.
Holter wanted to discuss his positions evaluation process. The current process calls for an evaluation form that is filled out by the five council members. Holter wishes to add a self-evaluation to that process.
“As the process stands, its one-way communication,” Holter said. “In my experience, this is a better way to evaluate any employee.”
Council members then asked Holter if this was a better way to evaluate all city employees.
“I feel like under the current process, employees might be afraid to bring forth any grievances they might have,” council member Chris Meierhoff said. “I feel this way they would be more at ease.”
“Every employee should have the ability to share their complaints without fear of retribution and give their thoughts and opinions,” Mayor Mary Olson said.
The current process has a section for comments, but according to Holter, employees seldom use that section.
Council said they were in favor of implementing a peer-self evaluation.
Holter also wanted to discuss his communication with the council.
“I want to make sure the information and the amount of information I’m sending is OK,” Holter said.
Council members commended Holter on a job well done and said they trusted his judgment.
“Not every decision has to go through us,” councilman Todd Heitschmidt said. “We hired you for a reason. I like that you keep us informed, but don’t feel like you have to run everything through us. If there’s something you think needs done, then do it.”