The Collin County Observer

A few weeks ago, I noticed that the commissioners court agenda included notification of quite a few new hires in the County Auditor's office.

Then last month I received an anonymous note from a former(?) county employee telling me that the Auditor, Jeff May, had fired 7 employees after giving an "all day test to all members of the department."

I contacted the Auditor who confirmed that 8 people had recently left the department or were terminated of his 31 employee office.

Mr. May responded to my questions with the following email:

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond.

As you know I became County Auditor on September 1st, 2009. One of the first tasks I felt I needed to accomplish was to evaluate the employees. I believe I should have my office in order before I go audit other departments. Before I took over as County Auditor I met with each employee individually and informed them that I would be placing the staff through a three month evaluation process. The evaluation consisted of checking employees backgrounds, analyzing skill set requirements to perform tasks, and testing job knowledge.

The knowledge test was given in two parts, a Microsoft Excel test and a written test. Three versions of the written test were given to employees based on their functions in the Auditor’s Office. Employees in the Auditor’s Office perform a variety of tasks, so in many cases questions on a test may pertain to one employee but not another. When grading the tests I only considered questions that pertained directly to one’s normal duties. As a result of the evaluation I learned that I have many outstanding employees; however, I felt the need to dismiss three employees because I felt they did not have the knowledge or background to complete their daily required functions. Four other employees were dismissed due to misconduct or refusal to take all or most of one of two tests.

The accusation of favoritism on the part of my First Assistant is inaccurate. Before the test employees were understandably apprehensive about taking the test resulting in many questions directed at my First Assistant and me. All employees were allowed to ask questions and no information was given to any employee that would give them an advantage over another employee. Great measures were taken before and after the tests to ensure that all employees were treated fairly.

In order to ensure that I hire the best employees in the future job applicants are now given a test when they are interviewed. Even though this evaluation process was difficult for everyone involved including myself, I know that the Office of County Auditor, Collin County, and the citizens of Collin County are better off as a result. I am very proud of my staff that stuck with me through this process.

Jeff May
County Auditor

According to sources at the county courthouse, of the 8 employees who left, 1 retired, 1 was fired for cheating on the test, 1 was fired related to the cheating incident, 2 quit before completing the test, and 2 were terminated for poor performance on the test.

Who would of thought an auditor would cheat?

Mr. May told the Observer that while the upheaval will result in short term difficulties while new employees are trained, he believes that the actions taken will result in a more professional and skilled Auditor's Office.

The County Auditor is appointed by a board consisting of all the county's 9 district judges. The auditor's office operates independently from the commissioners court. According to the Texas Association of Counties, "The county auditor's primary duty is to over see financial record-keeping for the county and to assure that all expenditures comply with the county budget. The county auditor, by law, has continuous access to all books and financial records and conducts detailed reviews of all county financial operations."

"...both the county auditor and commissioners court are required, by law, to approve or reject claims for disbursement of county funds. The integrity of county financial administration is entrusted to a dual control system of 'checks and balances.'"

"The county auditor has general oversight of all the books and records of all county officials and is charged with strictly enforcing laws governing county finances."

Bill