St. Bernard Parish voters will decide three low-temperature charter amendments Oct. 2. The proposed amendments to the 21-year-old charter would alter the makeup of the parish's Personnel Board, and change the language in the sections of the charter laying out the qualifications of the parish's fire chief and director of public works. The proposal to amend Section 4-05(b) of...
St. Bernard Parish voters will decide three low-temperature charter amendments Oct. 2.
The proposed amendments to the 21-year-old charter would alter the makeup of the parish's Personnel Board, and change the language in the sections of the charter laying out the qualifications of the parish's fire chief and director of public works.
The proposal to amend Section 4-05(b) of the charter, which deals with the Department of Public Works, would specify that the director of public works be a professional engineer and have at least a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or structural engineering. The charter now only specifies the director must be a professional engineer and have at least a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.
The proposed amendment does not alter other qualifications for the post.
The proposal to amend Section 4-07, which deals with the Fire Department, would change the name of the leader of the Fire Department from "Superintendent of Fire'' to "Fire Chief.'' The amendment also would change the position qualifications to make them match the current state requirements.
The proposal to amend Section 4-109(c) would change who appoints members to the parish's personnel board. Instead of one member from the general public being appointed by the Parish Council, it would be two members. Also, the council would appoint one member from a list of names submitted by the chancellor of Nunez Community College instead of the University of New Orleans, one from a list of names submitted by the St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce instead of Xavier University, and one from a list of names submitted by the St. Bernard Economic Development Commission, instead of Tulane and Loyola universities.
The personnel board is a review board for parish personnel rules and also holds hearings on "dismissals, demotions and other disciplinary matters,'' according to the charter.
None of the amendments has sparked public opposition. The council voted unanimously last April to put each of the items on the ballot.
