Civil Service Commission Minutes - 01/10/2024 MINUTES OF THE FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS'
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
JANUARY 10,2024
Present:
Jim Heiman, Chair § Commission Members
Laura Fidelie §
John Buckley §
Christi Klyn, Civil Service Director § City Administration/Staff
Julia Vasquez, First Assistant City Attorney §
Manuel Borrego, Police Chief §
Donald Hughes, Fire Chief §
Cody Melton, Deputy Fire Chief §
Brian Lester, HR Supervisor §
1. Call to Order
Chairman Heiman called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM
2. Approval of Minutes (07/19/23)
Jim Heiman moved for approval with correction—"Chef' to "Chief' in the "Report from
Police Chief'section of the July 19,2023 minutes. Seconded by John Buckley,the motion
carried 3-0.
3. Review and Approval of Amendments to the following sections of the City of Wichita
Falls Local Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations:
143.023 "Eligibility for Beginning Position"
Jim Heiman moved for approval and adoption— Seconded by John Buckley. The motion
carried 3-0.
Julia Vasquez provided a summary of the rule; The Chief of the department would be
provided the discretion to review disqualifications on a case-by-case basis unless otherwise
prohibited by state or federal law.
Chief Borrego reiterated that the amendment would not in any way lower the standards of
the department in regard to hiring practices.
Chairman Heiman made the motion to approve the amendments as proposed. The
commission approved the amendments 3-0.
143.024 "Entrance Examination Notice"
Civil Service Commission Minutes 2
Jim Heiman moved for approval and adoption — Seconded by Laura Fidelie. The motion
carried 3-0.
Julia Vasquez provided a summary of the rule; failure of a polygraph assessment would no
longer permanently disqualify a candidate, but rather for 2 years. This mirrors DPS
requirements.
An additional update would no longer require lateral Police applicants from other Texas
Law Enforcement agencies from having to take a physical and psychological assessment
if there was not a break in service greater than 180 days.
An additional update includes corrected scoring standards from the Ergometrics
assessment for entry-level Fire candidates.
Chief Hughes stated that the scoring standards were updated to account for changes to the
recommended standards provided by the assessment authoring agency.
Chairman Heiman made the motion to approve the amendments as proposed. The
commission approved the amendments 3-0.
143.0251 "Reappointment of Police Officers"
Jim Heiman moved for approval and adoption— Seconded by John Buckley. The motion
carried 3-0.
Julia Vasquez provided a summary of the rule;this rule would enable discretion on the part
of a department chief to not require applicants previously employed by the City of Wichita
Falls from having to take a physical and psychological assessment if there was not a break
in service greater than 180 days.
Additional updates were made to clarify language in the section.
Chairman Heiman made the motion to approve the amendments as proposed. The
commission approved the amendments 3-0.
4. Report from Fire Chief
Chief Hughes stated there are currently 2 vacancies in the department with a testing cycle
underway.
5. Report from Police Chief
Chief Borrego thanked the Commission for passing the amendments. He also stated that
the Legal Review process of the recruitment would ensure that the quality of candidates
would remain high.
Civil Service Commission Minutes 3
Chief Borrego stated that there were more academies in process than in the past. There is
currently an academy to graduate in April,one to start in February,and another recruitment
to begin academy in the Spring.
Chief Borrego stated that he had spoken with other Police Chiefs in the metro area and that
they were not fairing much better in regard to recruitment.
6. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 10:32 AM.
Ji Peter Heiman, Chairman