All Henderson City Commissioners at Tuesday’s regularly scheduled meeting showed support for the hiring of a fellow commissioner’s daughter in a city position.
Breasha Pruitt, the daughter of Commissioner Robert Pruitt, was recently hired and started Monday at a project coordinator position with the city. At Tuesday’s city commission meeting, Breasha Pruitt, as well as other new hires, was introduced to the city commission.
After introductions, the city commission voted to approve the new hires, except for Breasha Pruitt’s, which was pulled out for discussion and a separate vote. Robert Pruitt recused himself and left the meeting room for the discussion and vote.
Commissioners Rodney Thomas, Nick Whitt and Kelsey Hargis, as well as Mayor Brad Staton voted to approve Breasha Pruitt’s hiring.
Before the vote, they heard from the city’s Human Resources Director Megan McElfresh, who told them the hiring followed the standard procedures for all hires. She said her department received 18 applications from eligible candidates and three were selected for interviews, of which Breasha Pruitt was one.
Staton asked several questions of McElfresh, including the requirements for hiring a relative of a city commissioner.
She said one requirement is for a waiver to be signed by the appointing authority for anyone on the city payroll. The policy also states, she said, that no direct relative of a city commissioner can be appointed for city manager, general manager, any contract manager or hazardous duty positions.
McElfresh said the hiring of Breasha Pruitt was not in violation of the city’s nepotism policy.
Staton said the policy changed in December, and he remembers voting on that “to make it more inclusive to allow for employees to be hired who are relatives of the commission so long as they didn’t include higher positions.”
McElfresh agreed, saying the policy “excludes positions that are directly influenced by the commission.”
McElfresh said that there was no influence from city elected officials in Breasha Pruitt’s hiring.
McElfresh said Breasha Pruitt was selected for an interview because of experience and education. She has a master’s degree, which is preferred for the position, and she has experience in grant writing and working with government officials, said McElfresh.
“Just because her last name is Pruitt, or her last name was Thomas, you should have every opportunity to apply for a position with the city,” said City Commissioner Rodney Thomas. “Just because you’re kin to us (does) not eliminate you from the hiring process and it seems we got the best person. She’s the most qualified for the job. So I’m glad to have her on our team.”
“I think in Henderson if you start shaking the family tree, you will find a relative somewhere,” said Commissioner Kelsey Hargis. “If she’s the most qualified and it’s not against policy, then it’s no problem to me.”
Commissioner Nick Whitt said the panel of employees that conducted interviews should be trusted. Whitt said he wasn’t aware Breasha Pruitt interviewed until after, but once he learned of it, he asked what her qualifications were. He said he was “pleasantly surprised” with how well her experience, education and qualifications lined up with the job description and title.
Staton, addressing the Hendersonian during the meeting, said he did not know the precise definition of nepotism when asked by the newspaper Friday if the hiring was a case of nepotism. He said it wasn’t because nepotism requires using power to influence a hiring. He said that didn’t happen.