Nebraska City Municipal Code Book, Chapter 2, Article VII, Division 2
DUTIES (for complete description, see the Municipal Code):
2-310.
(a) The commission shall adopt and promulgate procedural rules and regulations which shall provide in detail the manner in which examinations may be held and any other matters assigned to it by the mayor and council. At least one (1) copy of the rules and regulations and any amendments shall be made available for examination and reproduction by members of the public. One (1) copy of the rules and regulations and any amendments shall be given to each full-time firefighter and full-time police officer.
(b) The commission shall provide that all tests shall be practical and consist only of subjects which will fairly determine the capacity of persons who are to be examined to perform the duties of the position to which an appointment is to be made and may include, but not be limited to, tests of physical fitness and of manual skill and psychological testing.
(c) The commission shall provide by the rules and regulations for a credit of ten (10) per cent in favor of all applicants for an appointment to an entry level position, as defined by the mayor and council, under civil service, who, in time of war or in any expedition of the armed forces of the United States, have served in and been honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States, and who have equaled or exceeded the minimum qualifying standards established by the mayor and council.
(d) The commission may conduct an investigation concerning, and report upon all matters regarding, the enforcement and effect of this article and the rules and regulations prescribed.
(e) The commission may inspect all institutions, departments, positions and employments affected by this article to determine whether this article and all such rules and regulations are being obeyed. Such investigations may be conducted by the commission or by any commissioner designated by the commission for that purpose. The commission shall also make a like investigation on the written petition of a citizen, duly verified, stating that irregularities or abuses exist or setting forth, in concise language, the necessity for such an investigation. The commission may be represented in such investigations by the city attorney if authorized by the mayor and council. If the city attorney does not represent the commission, the commission may be represented by special counsel appointed by the commission in any such investigation. In the course of such an investigation, the commission, designated commissioner or chief examiner shall have the power to administer oaths, issue subpoenas to require the attendance of witnesses and the production by them of books, papers, documents and accounts appertaining to the investigation, and to cause the deposition of witnesses, residing within or without the state, to be taken in the manner prescribed by law for like depositions in civil actions in the courts of this state. The oaths administered and subpoenas issued shall have the same force and effect as the oaths administered by a district judge in a judicial capacity and subpoenas issued by the district courts of Nebraska. The failure of any person so subpoenaed to comply shall be deemed a violation of this article and be punished as such. No investigation shall be made pursuant to this section if there is a written accusation concerning the same subject matter against a person in the civil service. Such accusation shall be handled pursuant to section 2-325 of this article.
(f) The commission shall provide that all hearings and investigations before the commission, designated commissioner or chief examiner shall be governed by this article and the rules of practice and procedure to be adopted by the commission. In the conduct thereof, they shall not be bound by the technical rules of evidence. No informality in any proceedings or hearing or in the manner of taking testimony shall invalidate any order, decision, rule or regulation made, approved or confirmed by the commission, except that no order, decision, rule or regulation made by any designated commissioner conducting any hearing or investigation alone shall be of any force or effect unless it is concurred in by a majority of the appointed members of the commission, including the vote of any commissioner making the investigation.
(g) The commission shall establish and maintain a roster of officers and employees.
(h) The commission shall provide for, establish and hold competitive tests to determine the relative qualifications of persons who seek employment in any position and, as a result thereof, establish eligibility lists for the various positions.
(i) The commission shall make recommendations concerning a reduction in force policy to the mayor and council.
(j) The commission shall keep such records as may be necessary for the proper administration of this article.
(k) The commission, upon request of the mayor, shall establish and maintain a list of names and addresses, for a period of time established by the mayor, of those eligible for appointment to or promotion within the department.
(l) The commission upon request of the mayor, shall certify the names of the persons who are the three (3) highest on the eligibility list, following the most recent examination, and whose qualifications have been validated by the commission for the vacant position.
(m) The commission shall begin and conduct all civil suits which may be necessary for proper enforcement of this article and of the rules of the commission. The commission may be represented in such suits and all investigations pursuant to this article by the city attorney, if authorized by the mayor and council. If the city attorney does not represent the commission, the commission may be represented by special counsel appointed by it in any particular case.
APPOINTMENT & COMPOSITION:
2-301. There is hereby created in the city a civil service commission which shall have three (3) members who shall each be a citizen of the United States, a resident of such city for at least three (3) years immediately preceding such appointment, and an elector of the county wherein such person resides.
2-302. The members of the civil service commission shall be appointed by the mayor. At the time of any appointment, not more than two (2) members of the civil service commission, including the one or ones to be appointed, shall be registered electors of the same political party. Confirmation of the appointment(s) by any other legislative body shall not be required.
TERM:
2-303. The first persons appointed to the civil service commission shall serve for terms of two (2) years, four (4) years and six (6) years respectively. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for six (6) years.
CURRENT MEMBERS:
| Chuck Stoner (Chair) | Brad Vasa |
| Heidi Rosane |
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Mayor’s Office, Bryan Bequette, Mayor, 402-873-5515
Police Department, David Lacy, Police Chief, 402-873-6666