community
october1
2020
13
Release of Commissioner Candidate’s
Personnel Records Raises Questions continued from front page
Land Development Services Director
Todd Dugdale, dated January 25, 2016,
was deemed “Unsatisfactory.” Garrett’s
probationary period was extended by
six months and he was denied an annual
step increase in pay.
The performance review docu-
ments the following concerns:
• an inability by Garrett to adhere to fol-
lowing established rules, policies and
procedures
• not seeking appropriate input when de-
veloping plans and proposals
• acting defensively when challenged
and exercising poor judgement
• not demonstrating the ability to estab-
lish working relationships with other de-
partment heads and staff working under
him. “Your working relationship with
most of your staff and several staff de-
partments are broken,” states the review.
The performance review and
personnel records also offer details
concerning two misconduct allegations
which were investigated and substanti-
ated by Human Resources Director Jean
Ripa.
The first incident involved a
complaint filed by then Columbia Coun-
ty Sheriff Jeff Dickerson on December
8, 2015 documenting an incident at the
County Jail facility, which resulted in a
finding that Garrett would no longer be
trusted in the facility unaccompanied
and that his ability to perform his job had
been compromised.
The second incident involved
Garrett’s use of a racial slur when refer-
ring to employees who had worked for
him. A memorandum dated February 2,
2016 shows that Garrett received a Writ-
ten Reprimand for “Failure to Meet Per-
formance Competencies and Employee
Misconduct,” which noted, “...that any
further pattern of the performance de-
ficiencies… will result in further disci-
plinary action up to and including dis-
missal.”
In a written response to Dugdale
and his performance review, Garrett de-
nied the allegations and stated he did not
believe he had been given a fair assess-
ment of his overall performance.
A follow-up memo dated July
21, 2016 from Dugdale to Garrett ad-
dressing his performance during his
extended probationary period noted
Garrett was making progress in areas
of concern, that he had completed rec-
ommended supervisory training and a
structured mediation with his staff, and
he was placed on regular status.
In April 2017 Garrett canceled
a contract with Columbia County Men-
tal Health – Sunrise Janitorial, which
provided janitorial services for several
county facilities. Those contracted ser-
vices were assumed by county facilities
staff under Garrett’s supervision, lead-
ing to three employees filing a formal
grievance with their union representa-
tive. The Statement of Grievance stated
the union employees had not been for-
mally notified about the change to their
working conditions and did not receive
written descriptions of what tasks they
were expected to perform. The union in-
vestigation notes that when asked about
the change, Garrett stated the contract
employees, “...were disabled, so his staff
would be able to do a much better job.”
The County ended up hiring temporary
employees to perform the work rather
than hiring a permanent employee to fill
a vacant spot, which was again ques-
tioned by a union representative in Janu-
ary 2019.
Garrett’s performance reviews
in March 2018, conducted by Commis-
sioner Alex Tardif who Garrett is run-
ning to replace on the Board, notes he
is a satisfactory employee “...who has
done some great things for Columbia
County, including transforming the way
the Parks Department operates.” He is
noted for his “can do attitude,” but as
Tardif points out, he “moves a little too
quickly, which sometimes gets him in
trouble.” In the review Tardif suggests
Garrett “listen more, talk less.” “He
needs to hear what others are saying…
he can sometimes bulldoze people in an
attempt to get his point across,” noted
Tardif.
Garrett’s March 2019 perfor-
mance review, also written by Tardif
notes similar concerns, including “com-
pleting projects at the 11 th hour,” while
also noting Garrett was, “continuing to
grow into his role,” and “continues to
provide innovative solutions to prob-
lems.”
The release of Garrett’s per-
sonnel documents preceded a conten-
tious appearance by Garrett on 1600 AM
KOHI radio on Friday, September 18
when Garrett met with Tammy Maygra
and Brady Preheim to discuss his work
history with the County. Garrett says he
was hired to make drastic changes at the
County. He again denied that he ever
used a racial slur, and said the accusa-
tions were made by disgruntled employ-
ees; he said none of the three employees
from his staff that were working for the
County when he assumed his position
are still employed there. He said he had
no problem with his personnel file being
open to the public, but he called the re-
lease of them “dirty politics.”
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