Black Hawk County supervisors eliminate human resources director post

WATERLOO | Black Hawk County's human resources director has fallen victim to the budget ax.

Members of the Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 Tuesday to eliminate Human Resources Director Jerry Clyde's position effective today while "realigning" his department's staff as part of the board office.

The supervisors said the move, expected to save about $80,000 next year, was strictly budget driven.

"It's not a matter of personnel," said board chairman Craig White. "It's a matter of the almighty dollar."

Supervisor Frank Magsamen said the supervisors already had voted to eliminate a courthouse maintenance job, a vacant position in the auditor's office and will not fund two health department posts. All were designed to hold down next year's property tax increase.

The supervisors hired Clyde in July 2011 after former human resources director June Watkins left for another position.

"I can fully understand what is happening and why it's happening," Clyde said. "I leave with nothing but pride in what my department and staff have accomplished, and I have nothing but great admiration for Black Hawk County."

Clyde had requested to stay on through June to help with the transition and complete a job reclassification program he felt was vital to the future of the county's workforce. That was rejected.

Both Clyde and the supervisors expressed confidence the remaining human resources staff is capable of handling the work.

"I appreciated the restructuring you've done and having some strong people in that department we can lean on," said Supervisor Linda Laylin.

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Black Hawk County supervisors eliminate human resources director post