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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

St. Charles Parish Civil Service Board Meeting - December 9, 2025

Parish Council & Boards — Tuesday, December 9, 2025

BodySt Charles Parish, Louisiana

SessionParish Council & Boards

DateTuesday, December 9, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:35:38

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:03

Silent prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:28

And to the Republican States undervisible justice for all.

0:46

We were sent out the uh the meeting um oh I'm sorry, reading of the minute meeting protocols, please.

0:55

To ensure that each meeting is conducted in an orderly fashion and the board is able to gather all information needed to make a decision.

1:02

The following rules shall prevail.

1:04

Talking among attendees will not be allowed.

1:07

Please wait to be recognized by the chairperson and proceed to the microphone when called upon.

1:12

Everyone who wishes to speak will have the opportunity.

1:15

When speaking at the microphone, there will be a five-minute time limit.

1:19

Please make sure to state your full name and proceed with the information you would like to provide.

1:24

Additional time may be allotted by a vote of the board.

1:27

Any attendee wearing an electronic device are asked to turn them off.

1:32

Should you need to use your device, we ask that you please leave the boardroom to do so.

1:36

Violations of the above rules will be called to the attention of the violator.

1:40

You may be asked to leave the meeting if disruptions continue to take place.

1:52

So just a few updates at this time.

1:55

We did have three offers made above entry rate.

1:58

We actually had two code clerks in the planning and zoning department that were offered a higher rate above entry, um, as well as one equipment operator too.

2:09

So those were our um three since our last meeting that we had made an offer above entry.

2:20

So I did provide you all with just a reminder of what our evaluations look like, um, what our rating guidelines are.

2:29

Um I also have provided the timeline that we are working towards right now.

2:35

Um the performance evaluations are due to the personnel office by this Thursday, December 11th.

2:41

Um and at that time um everything gets entered into the PayCom system.

2:46

Um, and that's when we run all of our merit and cost of living um increases.

2:51

Um, those will be effective December 20th this year, and they will be paid to employees on the first paycheck in January, which is January 9th.

3:01

So we are working through that process right now.

3:04

Um, so I did provide you just copies of all of that just so that you'll have that information.

3:17

So that actually keeps us pretty busy at this time of year.

3:21

So I know during December um a lot of people take time off and um say it gets a little slower, but uh in the personal office, that is probably when we are most busiest.

3:31

So um definitely uh working working on that the next couple weeks for sure.

3:36

Um I am also um wanted to share with you all you all had uh asked about the manager training that we had in October.

3:44

Um, and it was very effective.

3:46

We provided this training um for our managers prior to starting the performance evaluation process where we um talked about uh conflict um like conflict conversations, how to manage conflict, and then also like coaching conversation.

4:04

So um, I just wanted to provide you all with a copy of um the uh the training that was provided.

4:11

Um, and we do hope to do more uh training uh in the coming year.

4:15

Uh this trainer was actually pretty effective, so we'll probably look to him to do some additional manager training.

4:21

So just wanted to provide that to you all, and those are the updates that I have at this time.

4:26

Any questions?

4:27

Who held the training sessions?

4:30

Who presided over?

4:32

So um I hosted them, um, the training sessions.

4:35

Um, however, we did have a trainer come in to do them, and his information is on the last page in the top left section.

4:49

Um, his name is Chris News.

4:52

Um, he's the chief operating officer at the Woodlands Township.

4:56

So um he originally came in and did some training for us in the waterworks department.

5:02

And we asked for feedback and it seemed to go really well.

5:06

And we met with him.

5:08

I got a good idea of what he could offer, and it seemed to really correlate with what I was hoping for.

5:13

And it was really effective.

5:23

And I'll keep you all up to date on additional training that we'll be having for our managers in the first of the year.

5:30

Do we have a date for the uh service award lunch breakfast?

5:36

We do we do have a date for that.

5:38

Do you have it on here?

5:41

It is March 19.

5:52

Thank you.

5:53

Yes.

6:00

Any other questions?

6:05

Okay.

6:06

Believe we received the minutes prior to the meeting.

6:10

Uh I think we've all have reviewed that.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Personnel Matters██████████████████████████████████████████42%

Economic Development████████████████████████████28%

Procurement Management████████████12%

Water And Wastewater Management████████8%

Procedural█████5%

Technology and Innovation███3%

Public Engagement██2%

Summary of Proceedings

St. Charles Parish Civil Service Board Meeting - December 9, 2025

The St. Charles Parish Civil Service Board met on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers of the Courthouse. The board considered personnel updates, approved minutes, created two new job descriptions (Inventory Specialist and Meter Specialist for Waterworks), approved a reorganization of the Economic Development Department (including a new Business Engagement Specialist position and revised descriptions for Market Development Research Assistant and Administrative Assistant), and approved an upgrade for the Deputy Public Information Officer. Public comments were heard from two council members.

Consent Calendar

Minutes Approval: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the meeting held October 14, 2025, as presented.
Personnel Updates: The Personnel Officer reported three offers made above entry rate: two code clerks in Planning and Zoning and one equipment operator. Performance evaluations are due December 11, 2025, with merit and cost-of-living increases effective December 20, 2025, paid on the first January paycheck (January 9, 2026). A manager training session on conflict and coaching conversations was held in October and was well received; additional training is planned.

Public Comments & Testimony

Councilman Walter Pelier (District 3): Speaking on the Inventory Specialist request, he asked whether the position was budgeted for 2026 (yes) and confirmed that it was accounted for in the upcoming year's budget.
Councilwoman Michelle O'Daniels: Speaking on the Economic Development reorganization, she expressed excitement about the proposed changes, particularly the Business Engagement Specialist role. She supported streamlining the administrative assistant function into the Market Development Research Assistant role, noting that technology and partnerships (e.g., River Region Chamber of Commerce) can handle clerical tasks. She emphasized the need for hands-on engagement with small and medium businesses.
Councilman Walter Pelier (again): On Economic Development, he reviewed budget numbers: salaries totaling $308,721 for 2026 (Business Engagement Specialist ~$70k, Market Development Research Assistant ~$50k, Administrative Assistant ~$41k). He expressed hope that the remaining funds cover the director's salary and that the reorganization allows for flexibility in hiring higher-paid staff if needed.

Discussion Items

Request for New Job Description – Inventory Specialist (Waterworks): Waterworks Director Greg Gordon presented the justification. The position is needed due to changing procurement functions, increased audit demands, and the need for centralized inventory management (approximately $1 million in inventory). The specialist will manage procurement, fixed assets, and project files. Board members asked about transitioning duties from Purchasing, potential for similar positions in other departments, and whether the position resulted from audit recommendations. The person noted the parish is shifting procurement responsibility to departments. The position was budgeted for 2026.
Request for New Job Description – Meter Specialist (Waterworks): Director Gordon explained that this role replaces one of five Distribution Specialist positions (headcount unchanged). With a $10 million investment in 23,000 fixed-base remote-read meters, meter reading shifted from physical activity to data collection and customer interaction. The new Meter Specialist will focus on technology, billing integration, and customer communication. Salary range remains at level 21, same as Distribution Specialist. The position is a conversion of a retiring employee's slot.
Request to Approve Job Description Changes for Economic Development: New Economic Development Director Patrick Beard presented the reorganization. The department currently has three staff (Director, Market Development Research Assistant, and an Administrative Assistant retiring soon). The proposal adds a Business Engagement Specialist (budgeted for 2026) and revises the Market Development Research Assistant and Administrative Assistant descriptions to better align duties. The Business Engagement Specialist will focus on small and medium-sized businesses, while the director handles large industry. Board members questioned potential duplication of website update responsibilities, clarification of accounting vs. payroll duties, the decision not to immediately fill the Administrative Assistant vacancy, and whether the department risks being understaffed initially. Director Beard and Personnel Officer Dana explained that duties will be absorbed by other roles initially, and the position will be filled if needed later. Council members supported the reorganization.
Request for Upgrade – Deputy Public Information Officer: Communications Assistant Director Francesca Blanchard requested upgrading Gabrielle Rankin from Public Information Specialist to Deputy Public Information Officer. Rankin has 18 months with the parish but 7 years of marketing/communications experience (bachelor's in strategic communication from Southeastern). She currently performs advanced duties (drafting public communications, social media, co-webmaster, emergency ops support). Her performance evaluations show 90% exceeds expectations. Board members asked about qualifications, supervisory experience (she has none yet), and why the position wasn't posted. Blanchard noted that the employee is already performing higher-level duties and that posting would be unfair; the position is a budgeted upgrade, not a new backfill. Rankin briefly spoke about her prior work experience. Board member expressed concern about supervisory readiness but acknowledged potential for growth under leadership.

Key Outcomes

Approved New Job Description – Inventory Specialist (Waterworks): Motion passed unanimously. (Approved)
Approved New Job Description – Meter Specialist (Waterworks): Motion passed unanimously. (Approved; converts one Distribution Specialist slot, no net headcount change)
Approved Economic Development Job Description Changes: Motion passed unanimously. This includes: creation of Business Engagement Specialist (new position), revised Market Development Research Assistant, and revised Administrative Assistant descriptions. (All budgeted for 2026; Administrative Assistant will not be filled immediately pending workload assessment)
Approved Upgrade – Deputy Public Information Officer: Motion passed unanimously. Gabrielle Rankin is upgraded from Public Information Specialist to Deputy Public Information Officer. (No backfill planned for her former specialist position; headcount remains unchanged)
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned by motion.

Meeting Transcript

Silent prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republican States undervisible justice for all. We were sent out the uh the meeting um oh I'm sorry, reading of the minute meeting protocols, please. To ensure that each meeting is conducted in an orderly fashion and the board is able to gather all information needed to make a decision. The following rules shall prevail. Talking among attendees will not be allowed. Please wait to be recognized by the chairperson and proceed to the microphone when called upon. Everyone who wishes to speak will have the opportunity. When speaking at the microphone, there will be a five-minute time limit. Please make sure to state your full name and proceed with the information you would like to provide. Additional time may be allotted by a vote of the board. Any attendee wearing an electronic device are asked to turn them off. Should you need to use your device, we ask that you please leave the boardroom to do so. Violations of the above rules will be called to the attention of the violator. You may be asked to leave the meeting if disruptions continue to take place. So just a few updates at this time. We did have three offers made above entry rate. We actually had two code clerks in the planning and zoning department that were offered a higher rate above entry, um, as well as one equipment operator too. So those were our um three since our last meeting that we had made an offer above entry. So I did provide you all with just a reminder of what our evaluations look like, um, what our rating guidelines are. Um I also have provided the timeline that we are working towards right now. Um the performance evaluations are due to the personnel office by this Thursday, December 11th. Um and at that time um everything gets entered into the PayCom system. Um, and that's when we run all of our merit and cost of living um increases. Um, those will be effective December 20th this year, and they will be paid to employees on the first paycheck in January, which is January 9th. So we are working through that process right now. Um, so I did provide you just copies of all of that just so that you'll have that information. So that actually keeps us pretty busy at this time of year. So I know during December um a lot of people take time off and um say it gets a little slower, but uh in the personal office, that is probably when we are most busiest. So um definitely uh working working on that the next couple weeks for sure. Um I am also um wanted to share with you all you all had uh asked about the manager training that we had in October. Um, and it was very effective. We provided this training um for our managers prior to starting the performance evaluation process where we um talked about uh conflict um like conflict conversations, how to manage conflict, and then also like coaching conversation. So um, I just wanted to provide you all with a copy of um the uh the training that was provided. Um, and we do hope to do more uh training uh in the coming year. Uh this trainer was actually pretty effective, so we'll probably look to him to do some additional manager training. So just wanted to provide that to you all, and those are the updates that I have at this time. Any questions? Who held the training sessions? Who presided over? So um I hosted them, um, the training sessions. Um, however, we did have a trainer come in to do them, and his information is on the last page in the top left section. Um, his name is Chris News. Um, he's the chief operating officer at the Woodlands Township. So um he originally came in and did some training for us in the waterworks department. And we asked for feedback and it seemed to go really well. And we met with him. I got a good idea of what he could offer, and it seemed to really correlate with what I was hoping for. And it was really effective. And I'll keep you all up to date on additional training that we'll be having for our managers in the first of the year.

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