AUBURN - City leaders have to seek voters' permission to shake up a city hall office.

During Thursday's meeting, Auburn City Council will discuss changing the form of the Civil Service Commission to a personnel officer, but can't do anything until the issue is on a ballot.

City manager Mark Palesh suggested hiring a director of human resources who would take the duties of both civil service and Human Rights Office.

“By doing this, changing the civil service form, you are still under the civil service rules and regulations,” said William Fulton, commission secretary.

Applicants for certain jobs still will have to go through the same process, starting with taking a competitive exam and meeting certain qualifications.

The commission oversees civil service exams, maintains lists of eligible workers, appoints candidates, certifies positions and salaries, conducts public hearings to address new positions or changes, updates all personnel changes, and finds required licenses for employment.

The office boasts a full-time clerk, a part-time secretary, and three commissioners.

Fulton said one person could not take on all the work of the commission, but added no one knows how many people would work in the human resource office.

The 2007-2008 budget details the commission office's budget for about $78,000, which includes benefits for the clerk. The Auburn Enlarged School District funds about half of this because about half the commission's cases consist of school jobs, Fulton said.

He said Palesh had discussed the possible change with the office during budget season. This year's budget also allows more than $117,000 for a human resources office for three quarters of a year.

“I believe we have a system that's working well. I don't see how it would save any money,” Fulton said.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net