El Dorado Hills General Manager Being Paid To Do Nothing

EL DORADO HILLS (CBS13) — Members of the board who hired the El Dorado Hills general manager have asked him to not work, and he says he has no idea why.

Taxpayer money is being used to pay for El Dorado Hills’ general manager John Skeel to do nothing. We tried to find out why, but the board is not offering answers. What we did find out, is that paying for a GM isn’t cheap.

“Since being put on leave, this is now a waste of money because being paid to do nothing is not serving anybody,” said Skeel.

John Skeel just started as general manager of the El Dorado Hills Community Services District in January. Five weeks ago, the board told him they want him out the door.

“They told me I was on leave and they’d come up with a story as to why I was gone, and that’s when I would hear from them,” said Skeel.

With a salary of more than $126,000 taxpayer dollars, it means they’ve already paid him more than $10,000 to stay home.

Neda: So five weeks later and you still don’t know why?

Skeel: No, and it’s really difficult. Employees are asking, the community’s asking me and I can’t say anything.

CBS13 started asking questions, but we got no answers over the phone so we went directly to the board who refused to comment.

The interim general manager only gave us her attorney’s phone number who said the leave of absence is a private personnel matter.

It’s not just Skeel’s salary that’s costing taxpayers. Getting him out here took time and money. He was the board’s pick after a five-month national search of over 70 applicants.

His recruitment, like his salary, cost a pretty penny. Board members flew to his place in Colorado and they flew Skeel and his wife into town and covered about $10,000 of his moving expenses. On top of his salary, Skeel also gets a $375 per month car allowance.

Skeel says he was hired to cut costs, but thinks some of his proposed cuts may have upset the board. In the end, it’s his job that may be cut, with him and taxpayers losing out in the process.

“I would like to get back to work so I’m actually earning my money,” said Skeel.

The board’s attorney says they are working with Skeel’s attorney to come up with some solution. In the meantime, tax dollars are still being spent while one of their highest-paid employees just waits.

http://ethicalfutures.wordpress.com HooDatIS?

he is ugly thats why they put him on recall
he looks like a bat out of hell
http://ethicalfutures.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/video-crazy-cat-fight-caught-on-cam-nyc-subway/
Very Serious Here

I can do a better job of staying home, more than he can… I deserve to have his job. And they can even cut the pay by $10,000.00. Give me the Job. I would appreciate it a whole lot more than he does.
OK

Pic of yourself as rebuttal, or you’re uglier than he is.
Upton

It sounds like its the Board that needs to be replaced if they did such a poor job of recruiting for what now seems to be a poor dandidate in thei eyes. Maybe a recall is in order….Names please?
ohwell

He is a government employee what has happened to the freedom of information that we are entitled to recieve if we ask. The bosses(citizens) cannot ask the employees(government officials)what they are doing and why? Something is very wrong with this picture. The new old governor is raising taxes by calling them fees to pay a former government emploee to do nothing and also get $375 a month for car allowance. My God that sounds like fraud. Is Al capone mentality taking over the state of Calif?
JM

Not all the board needs to be replaced just a few one is Nona the other is Billy, he’s the town drunk. A recall is whats in order to fix this problem. These people don’t work for the taxpayers. There are other problems there and John was about to fix. Bring John back!
Mike Kelley

Sounds like he was about to cut some of the tailcoaters and friends of the board who milk the county and lose their cash cow. Stepping on toes of the “Big Wigs” and see what it gets you? Sounds to me like he WAS doing his job and they did not like it.Typical BS we’ve come to understand all to well.
Billy Vandegrift

To JM, first off your a coward, and if you want to recall members of the board, feel free to do it. Perhaps you should run yourself. The reason I choose to drink at times is because I have a few JERKS like you for constituents. Have a nice day…And remember; there are two sides to every question…
Billy V
JM

Gee Billy I call them like I see them if you go to the board meeting drunk then your just a town drunk and remember if you can’t stand up stay home. Have a nice day!
Kent

Believe me, John Skeel WAS doingt a great job. The problem was that he was not lowering himself to the selfish agendas of the Board and a few select “key” people within the CSD. Just for the record, the EDHCSD is funding entirely by a portion of property taxes, franchise fees, and user fees. There are no State dollars contributed to the operation of the CSD. If the Media wants to get in the faces of the Board, then they should attend the Board meetings held the second Thurday of every month. ALL of the major media stations should attend and ASK questiions This holds true for the general public. And PLEASE take a CLOSE look at the Parks and Facilities withiin El Dorado HIlls. The Employes are doing a VERY good job. We just have a VERY dysfunctional Board and Management team.
dean

come on billy, we all see you at concerts, party guy

YES, the people who live in El Dorado Hills and the media need to start coming to board of directors meetings – you all should have seen how John Skeel was treated at public meetings during his short tenure at the district….
Dianna

This is VERY typical behavior for this and immediately prior-elected boards. They want to micromanage the District staff because they are small-brained and can’t think BIG. Not one of them is visionary or service oriented or understands the simple fact that appreciating their hard working employees will pay them back more than their manipulative, cowardly handling of “personnel” issues. Please attend meetings, ask questions, dig deeper and then, take action!
Ned Robertson

JM, why be anonymous? How does that serve anyone and what do you have to hide? You clearly have a limited understanding of the situation, however, it will soon be revealed why Mr. Skeel is not a fit for the community. And in fact has manipulated the board and taxpayers. More to the story Mr. JM… or is there another moniker to which I should refer to you by? Also, before you run around telling people that they can’t stand up and assuming that they are drunk, you could consider that this individual has had major back surgery, you CLOD.
dean

talk about wasting tax payrs dollars, they gave the HR Manager 3 weeks off last year with pay because she hired the General Manager (she did her job) then they gave the Interim General Manager a few weeks off with pay also .see what you can learn if you go to meetings?what taxpayr dollars will they waste this time.pay attention,fellow taxpayers.
why are their such big car allowances for emdployees who live in el dorado hills any way??
El Dorado Hills Dad

Channel 13 didn’t dig deeply enough. John Skeel isn’t the only employee who has been treated badly by the El Dorado Hills CSD. Since 2009, there have been random firings and haphazard rearrangement of people without any organizational focus or benefit to the community. The CSD’s highest paid staff is not required to work regular hours; when there, it appears that the Board’s favorites spend unlimited time plotting the next senseless change. However, the Board does appear to want to be fair to the interest groups. From the 6/14/2010 Board minutes: “Director Rogozinski said he had a problem with budgeting $50K for a dog park. There was discussion about other special interest groups receiving a higher level of funding from the CSD (Taz, Little League, etc.), whether it was through budget or land. Director Gertsch asked that there be consistency from one special interest group to the next.” And all this time, I thought we were electing these people to exercise their own good judgment as to what is best for the ENTIRE community’s parks and recreation needs. Your tax dollars at work? This place needs a thorough review by the El Dorado County Grand Jury.
Voter-Taxpayer

El Dorado Hills had its chance to elect an experienced statesman to the CSD Board during the last election. Former Fairfield Mayor Chuck Hammond, an El Dorado Hills resident for several years and active community member, undoubtedly would have been a voice of reason in this latest CSD debacle. By a margin of about 20 votes, Mr. Hammond lost his election to Billy V, who apparently is driven to drink by his constituents (see his comment). The seats of current Board President Guy Gertsch and Vice President Noelle Mattock are on the ballot in 2012. It’s time for positive change. El Dorado Hills voters need to pay closer attention to whom they elect as stewards of our parks & rec tax dollars.
CLM

After a thorough diligent employment search and then the sudden departure of Mr. Skeel, it is blatantly apparent that current Board members are lacking in the essential professional skills to oversee the District effectively. The illiterate response by Board Member “Billy” clearly reflects his inability to respond in a professional and logical manner. He certainly isn’t the first “political person” to have a slanderous remark posted but his response is atypical of the type of knee-jerk reaction this Board has displayed towards all decision making issues with EDHCSD – ie: further displayed in the immediate dismissal of Mr. Skeel. I expected far more professionalism and responsibility to the public from my Board.
Our country was founded on due-process of the law, a right that has not been afforded to Mr. Skeel, and on the checks and balances of government entities. Not one government entity has the ability to violate laws the way this current Board has done [See Government Code and B& P] . The Board, with its dictatorship and over-reaching actions has created a chasm of distrust between the Board, EDHCSD employees, and the El Dorado Hills general public. The Board micro-manages its General Manager and EDHCSD employees while they perform management tasks exclusively reserved for a General Manager. Mr. Skeel had over 22 years of experience in park and recreations – obviously he had enough experience and references to convince our current Board that he was qualified. What is left then to assume is that Mr. Skeel wanted to perform his General Manager designated duties, which apparently involved limiting the Board from their throne of power. A fatal mistake for Mr. Skeel. Woodland had similar issues with their inappropriate Board and the Grand Jury was brought in to establish the proper boundaries for a lawful Board. It is now time for our Grand Jury to assist with this debacle. If I am allowed, for once, to decide what my tax dollars must pay for, it clearly should be a Grand Jury investigation into this matter.
voting constituent

I agree with the tax payer’s comment. If Hammond was there, maybe the vote would be 3 to 2 for Skeel. It is time that Gertsch recasts his vote for Skeel getting back to work, the other two (Bill/Noel) are lost causes for this community. Maybe a grand jury is the answer, it might be what is needed to clean out marginalized people.
You are wasting my money

Dear Mr. Robinson, oh thank god you have the unlimited understanding everyone is wanting to hear… Why was John Skeel relieved of his duty? If you already have the “facts” that Mr. Skeel “manipulated the board and taxpayers.” I and all concerned would love to see or hear it. Why was Mr. Skeel “Not a fit for the comminity”? Can you please also let everyone know the board member that leaked the information to you? perhaps it is the person you are sticking up for huh?

If JM is Justin Masters. Good for you!
Kristie

After working at the EDH CSD for over 20 years, it appears the current board has reeked more havoc than any other in the 49 year history of the District. It’s not only the budget. For years, the Board has been causing the District to crumble from within. The dedicated “front line” voiceless staff who are left holding the District together without leadership deserve better; and just when it looked like it couldn’t get any worse. BTW, the District’s policy on speaking to the media is to not speak to the media and to refer all inquires to the EDHCSD attorney. The employees you saw in the video clip (and the acting/assistant GM) were following District policy so as to not be fired. Whether or not Mr. Skeel is allowed to work for his pay is only a symptom of the disease of the Board. A Board recall has righted the ship in the past, and it may be time for another. Ditto to Dianna and Kent’s comments. I’m thankful to be retired from the place and out of the madness.
Informed El Dorado Hills Taxpayer/Government Worker

According to law, placing the GM on Admin Leave takes a super majority of the board (4of 5). Skeel has not contributed to the current financial health of the district. Remember, only the board and Mr. Skeel know what transpires in closed sessions and the board is bound by law to keep Mr. Skeel’s personnel matters confidential. If you truly want to know what is going on, you should be asking Mr. Skeel to waive his confidentiality! I wonder why he won’t? Before making uninformed statements about how the Board is wasting our tax dollars, you should look at the financial health of the CSD compared to other government agencies in our area. While the fire department is deficit spending and giving lofty pensions and salaries to their employees and EID pays their top 10 employees a $500 car allowance along with 6 figure salaries and lofty pensions including their HR manager and our water rates are going up, the CSD has reserves. You should check out some of Mr. Skeel’s spending that are included in the monthly board packet. I was shocked he took a trip to Monterey on my dime!
Concerned Citizen

Obviouly you really are NOT a very “Informed ….Taxpayer…” If you were you would no that training/travel is budgeted for. Training allows employees to stay on the cutting edge in relation to their jobs. Mr. Skeel is no exception.
Informed El Dorado Hills Taxpayer/Government Worker

Concerned Citizen,
why dont you ask your buddy Skeel to waive his confidentiality so we all can be enlightened. What is he hiding?
El Dorado Hills Dad

Informed:
If you know something tell us. Otherwise, stop hinting. (You wouldn’t be trying to make Mr. Skeel look bad for your own personal gain — that GM job pays pretty well for the ‘burbs, huh?)
Informed El Dorado Hills Taxpayer/Government Worker

Dad,
A person is not put on leave whithout a cause, so clearly we are not gettting the whole story. Law prohibits the board from discussing personnel issues. Simply put, if Mr. Skeel cares about this community, the residents, and the employees he should be willing to be open and transparent with us all! If he is telling us the truth he should not fear giving up his confidentiality. until he does, I have to wonder what he’s hiding. – No insider knowledge and am happily close to retirement.
nikki

I’m not sure where you got your information but Fred Smith GM from the Cameron Park CSD was let go with a 3 to 2 vote thats all it takes. Your not very informed. being paid to do nothing is a waste of tax dollars.
CLM

Dear Mr. “Taxpayer” You state that the law prohibits the board from discussing personnel issues. The law also prohibits Mr. Skeel from discussing confidentiality issues per a contractual agreement. Please refer to Contracts 101 before making any further incorrect and illiterate statements. You are starting to mirror Board Member “Bill y” with your nonsensical rhetoric.
As far as Mr. Skeel’s expenditures: do you honestly think that this over-controlling board would allow frivolous spending by any CSD employee?
In the court of law, the prosecution must present its case against the defendant. It is not the responsibility of the defendant to “defend” his actions. Why, sir, are you willing to make allowances for this Board not to present their case against Mr. Skeel, as stated by the laws of our country. With your accusatory tone and accusations you have already “sentenced” Mr. Skeel as guilty of improper behavior. This is why I have suggested a Grand Jury investigation so that the proper authority can decide the facts of this situation and render a proper decision. Please take your lynch mob mentality to some other county. You are not welcomed here in El Dorado Hills.
Chuck

Maybe I’m just suspicious by nature, but it appears to me that “Informed EDH Taxpayer/Government Worker” is probably a CSD employee. It’s not much of a stretch to further assume that person was on duty at 9:02 this morning and probably used CSD time and equipment to make what I consider to be defamatory, inflammatory and probably misinformed statements about the man who legally remains as the General Manager. Some of the statements seem very self-serving and destructive.
I’m hoping that the Acting GM is making some efforts to ascertain the identity of the writer. Wasn’t it the President of the CSD Board who, in an all-employee meeting, instructed everyone NOT to give opinions or discuss the Skeel matter?
To me, this type of sniping, if it did come from a CSD employee on CSD time and using CSD equipment, is a firing offence for insubordination. It shouldn’t be too difficult to ensure that it was/was not a CSD employee. If it is found that it was indeed a CSD employee with such an obvious axe to grind, swift and harsh action should be taken.
It is little wonder to me that if employees are on his payroll with this type of animosity directed at him, Mr. Skeel was doomed to failure from the beginning.
Check the outgoing E-mails, CSD Management! This sort of maliciousness coming from within can’t be tolerated at a time like this. What a disgrace!
Ashely

No “Chuck” you are not suspicious you are wrong. It doen’t take a CSD employee to see that Skeel is not the right person for the job. Yes, he is getting paid too much money and NO he is not qualified for the posiiton becuase it take a person with their right mind to perfom the job duties riquired for GM. Maybe that is why Skeel FAILED miserably at his attempt to be GM. I wonderApparently you have quite an axe to grind yourself. I wonder who you are trying to convince of Skeels ability
nikki

Hello Chuck, if this is the Chuck I think it is. I have to say I voted for you and after reading the comment by Billy, “having to be drunk to deal with the voters”. I wish you would have won and I have to say there is next time and I hope you run again you have my support. Your comment about “Informed EDH Taxpayer/Government Worker” is probably a CSD employee. I think you may be right but I don’t think it will go anywhere because I believe after reading all these comments that it might be the acting GM or even HR doing damage control.
DSH

Perhaps each District has it’s own policy or it may even be spelled out in the respective GM contracts. For the record, CSD HR person helped “find” the GM for Cameron Park as well – and, apparently, he doesn’t work there anymore either after only 6 months?! Guess she isn’t doing such a good job and maybe needed 2 weeks off to get herself together? Ditto with the AGM, who also gets a car allowance and lives in EDH.
informed

When not renewing a contract, it is only a 3-2 vote, as was the case for Mr. Smith. However, to place a person on Admin leave there needs to be 4-5 vote. its CA law.
taxpayer

CLM
those in glass houses should not throw stones. you apparently are receiving insider information re: closed session discussions that the rest of us are not. Mr. Skeel is making accuations and the board should be able to defend themselves. Unfortunately, they cannnot. Again, if Mr. Skeel truly has no idea as he claims, he should welcome sheding light and exposing to us all what the charges are He can do that by reliquenshing his privacy. You have already tried and convicted the board without the benefit of their side of the story.
Fairfield resident

Chuck,
I am not a CSD employee. And if this if the ex fairfield mayor Chuck Hammond. You should know very well about illegal activity. Werent you charged with multiple FPPC violations for taking money from people and then voting on their issue when it came before you and the city council.
Edward Pavicic

It is getting a bit heated in this blog! Comment to everyone. The tax payers elected the board with full confidence that they will represent our best interests. To date we live in a great community, greet school, great parks, great social services….really can’t see much to complain about.

If those systems breakdown or the people in charge fail to deliver on maintaining them. Then let us all worry.

I have been in EDH for 9 yrs., well before the current manger under leave was brought on. Most of the same members who serve on this current board has direct our community during that 9 nine year time with for mentioned above in an excellent manner.

I am sure there are reasons and precautions they are taking to ensure that our community still remains Great!

Let everybody continue to enjoy our great community and those that made it this way!
Ned Robertson

Dear Mr. You are wasting my time, there are quite a few assumptions you have made. And I have full confidence that the details will find it’s way to the public as soon as the CSD is legally able to. Those “facts” will be provided in due time and it’s likely this particular blog will not be the proper forum. Furthermore, i’m unclear why we need to attack our board members. It’s abusive and ignorant. Having confidence in our leadership that was selected on our behalf is needed at this time. Also, it would be quite refreshing if people would actually use their names. That’s seems strange to me, but I suppose that’s what you feel comfortable with.
Justin Masters

I’m the REAL Justin Masters.

I was called and asked if I posted any comments above as JM. I did NOT even know about this news report (I don’t watch tv). I have not been privy to decisions surrounding this issue (due to legal closed session restrictions).

I also would never say such things about Billy V. I served with him for many years, and he was a valuable addition to the board, and has served to the best of his ability, which is what I would expect from any public servant or elected official.

We all have faults, and it’s sad that some people choose to use the anonymity of the internet to superficially tear down other people. We could all stand to walk in the shoes of others a mile or two, before casting judgement upon them. What people do privately is their own business, and should be kept separate from their role as public servants. I too have been challenged in statements I have written as a private citizen (without any attribution to my elected status) to the local media while serving on the board. I took the time to explain my rights as a private citizen to speak up about issues of concern to me. While it may not always be wise to do so while in an elected position, it was a choice I alone took responsibility for.

With regards to the issue at hand:

The contract used to hire John is a matter of public record, and it’s been awhile since I’ve read it. Bringing anybody new on board is a period of adjustment for all parties. I have questions as to why a candidate that was selected as the best from a pool of 70 individuals is being dismissed so quickly, but remember, that the GM DOES answer to the board, which is elected by the people. The opinions of employees, critics and supporters alike are just that – opinions. It’s ultimately between the GM and the board.

The ballot box (and public meetings) are the avenues available to all individuals who wish to influence or affect change. I recommend that anybody wishing to attend the public meetings or run for office, do so. Too often, the public leaves their elected officials unaccountable or unchallenged for their actions. It’s up to us, the citizens, to ask that our voices be heard, whether it be locally in El Dorado Hills, the county, the state or federal levels. They answer to US. And that is how I conducted myself with the public – I answered to them, and where legally able to, I explained each of my votes when asked by the public. They may not have agreed with my vote, but each person deserved to know WHY I made the vote I did.

I would STRONGLY suggest that readers of these comments view strong statements above with some caution. I recognized several of the people commenting above, some of whom have personal gripes to air. Like all work places, there are differences of opinions.

A board is put in place by an election of the people to provide direction, and accountability to their constituents in providing the services that govt. does within their legal purview. They often have to make decisions with a lot of factors at play (services, staffing needs/requests, available revenue, special interest/constituent requests/demands, timing, contractual or legal obligations, etc).

Staff implements that direction, provides those services and is (nearly always) the public face of the agency that the taxpayer sees.

If there is a deviation from those roles, either egos, working conditions or personnel issues are to be looked at.

I will say that in an effort to be fiscally responsible to tax payers, changes were made by the board (1-2 years ago) to the organizational structure of the district, in order to continue to provide core services, stay solvent and maintain facility repair reserves through a prolonged economic downturn. That didn’t sit well with employees and unions (and in some instances, the public), but as someone commented above, the fiscal position of the district is to be commended and is an envied position in comparison to other govt. entities. Staff was asked to make cuts in operating expenditures as well as find areas to innovate in, and they did so with great thanks by the board.

Naturally, there was resistance to such drastic changes by staff. Without such efforts made in the past, the alternative would have been what you now see happening regularly in other agencies – a severe and forced cutback in services and employment.

I would suggest that any employees that feel that their own working conditions are unbearable should seek employment elsewhere. I don’t say it to be cruel, but that is an option that they should consider. I’m sure there are many who would be grateful to have a job in a govt. agency that is not facing a deficit.

Members of the staff may also have their concerns heard through appropriate channels through management, or if they are residents of the community, may also stand and be heard at public meetings. There are legal restrictions on some of the topics that may be discussed, as per union negotiation rules, or personnel issues. Board members also have restrictions as to what they are allowed to talk about, and are mandated by law to have training on ethics and legal limitations every two years to avoid legal problems with improperly held meetings, timely notifications to the public, limitations on communications between one another, proper roles and responsibilities, public records act requirements, etc.

Comments made above about firings that have happened over the last few years are mostly incorrect. The current (or prior) GM is responsible for any staff disciplinary actions, and must do so without any input from the board, which exists as an appellate body in disputes over such discplinary action that are escalated.

I hope that the charged rhetoric can be minimized, and that the process can move forward. I too would like to know why someone I voted to bring on as a GM less than a year ago is being dismissed. However, I’m not in a position to know without someone breaking their confidences or the law, and I will not ask any of the individuals involved to do so.

The *REAL* Justin Masters (El Dorado Hills CSD board member 2002-2010)
the truth

Beating that old drum again. Get real. This and prior boards have violated many laws. Although I don’t hear you calling them out!
Truth Prevails

Very well said, Mr. Masters. Your level of professionalism (as compared to the other board members above) leaves me wondering WHY you are not on the EDHCSD Board any longer? The community needs more members whose honesty is this obvious. However, I disagree with the first part of your comment about “What people do privately is their own business, and should be kept separate from their role as public servants”. A persons private indulgences can impede their ability to perform AS a public servant and even when they are “OFF” duty, they are still viewed AS a public servant and having this type of private lifestyle can hinder the opinions of how the public views them. Seems to me that this would directly affect whether or not the public would take them seriously while they ARE acting AS public servants. Just my opinion. Being voted INTO a public servants role is not to be taken lightly and should serve as a time to “clean up ones life” so they may be eligible to step into the public’s eye AS an ELECTED official who is blameless. It has always been my feeling if you can’t walk the walk-you shouldn’t talk the talk-If you’re not willing to take the position seriously, why would others WANT to KEEP you in the position? If the new GM cannot handle the pressures of taking on this position, he should step down. If the new GM is fully capable of handling the position-then by all means, bring the issues at hand INTO the public’s eye so it can be effectively discussed and a course of action taken. I think it’s “dirty” for others to point our your iniquities JUST to get the attention off of themselves and/or to make the other candidates LOOK bad so that they themselves look better. They should KNOW the truth will always prevail. In any event, you are wasting the taxpayers money to continue paying him to sit at home and do nothing. Thank you and May God Bless the future decisions and actions of the EDHCSD.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
40 year resident of EDH

If you have some evidence of this boards illegal behavior by all means you have the right to ask for the grand jury to investigate. I have met eaach of the board members and watched their actions in board meetings and committee meetings. They are honest, ethical, and have the residents of this community as their number one priority. I am satisified with them and the job they are doing in representing me. When past wrongs have been brought to their attention they have immediately addressed them – case in point they returned tax levies to home owners that were incorrectly charged. They did not fight it. They worked with residents to find the truth and took appropriate actions to resolve the situations. That doesnt sound like unethical behavior to me. That sounds like a bunch of people who want find out the truth and then do the right thing. Through everything they have consistenly delivered high quality projects, programs and those awesome summer concerts that are the envy of surrounding communities. Until you walk a mile in their shoes and have the knowledge they have of the situation. Everyone would be best served by allowing this process to play out instead of vilifying the board or John. The fact of the matter is that neither you nor I have all the details. And to jump to the conclusions and acusations that I have read on this page are appauling and you should be ashamed of yourselves! I love this community and all you are doing is trying to destroy what all the other residents enjoy and are happy with
concerned by seeing employees jumping into the fray

could you be sticking up for your boss because he promised you a promotion?
former fairfield resident

the truth,
it isnt an old drum especially when mr. hammond is seeking an elected position. Mr. Hammond has made it know he wants to be on the CSD board. He also has been vocal about getting his favorite employees more money. i wonder if he were elected if he would play favoritism and continue his croneyism ways! You should be concerned with the ethics of this man
Justin Masters

Truth Prevails,

Thank you for the correction regarding private vs public life. There is indeed some overlap with some expectation of both lives to mingle, and hopefully they benefit one another.

As for why I’m not on the board – I ran, but was not elected. And I’m okay with that. I spent 4 years fighting the board before getting on the board, and I’m enjoying time away from the rigors of the district. (I’m enjoying a private life again, if you will.)

Good people are needed in all areas of govt. I hope others will step up to the plate. Otherwise we get what we ask for in our elections.
dean

Have you been to a Board meeting in the last 6 months??? Doesn’t sound like it!
distgusted

AMEN, El Dorado Hills Dad!
dean

Mr. Skeel should request a PUBLIC evaluation of his work – it’s his right. You’re right, he does have the ability to waive his confidentiality…….do you think he would ever be given the chance………most likly not.
40 year

Actually yes I have. And I even noticed how unprofessional Mr. Skeel was by rolling his eyes and making faces when board members were talking. I also watched as Mr. Skeel was unable to answer basic questions the board asked. It sounds like perhaps you have ax to grind because they did not cowtow to your special interest.
disgusted

Nikki and Billy V………go back to school……try you’re…the contraction form of you are…..
Finally the CSD can talk

Hmmmm. Does anyone else see the inconsitencies in Mr. Skeel’s story. Shocked by the June 20 meeting but yet he felt such relief in March after two meetings with Wayne and Guy he went home and told his wife his job was safe. Clearly he had concerns prior March. http://www.villagelife.com/news/skeel-edh-csd-board-break-media-silence/
A CSD employee

Obviously like most employees I am afraid to state my identity out of fear of repercussions. I also think this blog is an inappropriate forum for this discussion and anyone reading this needs to take into account the misinformation and fake postings to push their agendas. People need to come to board meetings and ask what is going on.

I will try to stick to the facts for those of you that want to continue forming an opinion from a lot of slanderous and heated posts.

I sometimes disagreed with Justin’s stances while he was a board member but I want to thank him for bringing some sanity to this discussion. It’s politics and people need to learn the truth and form a reasonable decision based on the available facts.

To quote 40 year resident “Through everything THEY have consistenly delivered high quality projects, programs and those awesome summer concerts that are the envy of surrounding communities.”

THEY (the board) are supposed to offer direction through the GM. It is inappropriate and ineffective for the board to be involved in day to day operations. The CSD employees deliver the services and despite everything we are still providing a high level of service with a dysfunctional organization. How can the board not be involved in day to day operations with our current management makeup? The recreation director position has been vacant for 2+ years. The parks director position also vacant for over a year. The finance director position has been valiantly filled by a current employee as an “acting director”. The planning department has been eliminated with the future planning and smart growth and services to the community in jeopardy as things fall through the cracks as the board continues to take no action to fill these positions.

“Where is the leadership?” They don’t work for the CSD anymore. And now we don’t have a GM. As employees we were anxious to work with the new GM to rebuild the CSD and to get our jobs done as efficiently as possible and serve the community. We have always been welcoming to the board in offering information and assistance and open communication. The reorg was done without any input from the management team from the director level on down. Not sure how they made informed decisions without this information. We were willing to work with the board but they have not been interested in listening to us.

This is not a union or employee issue. We just finished year one of a 3 year contract that all parties agreed was fair. As an employee I understand the fiscal tightening and cuts. We expected them and just hoped they would be implemented in a professional manner. The communication breakdown in the CSD is at the leadership level. I applaud my fellow employees for communicating with each other and continued performance of their jobs at a high level despite everything.

I want to reiterate Kent’s message above about our revenues. Yes they have been severely impacted but nothing like cities or counties around us which are completely different from a CSD. Our revenues remained fairly stable as our tax streams mainly come through property taxes and not sales taxes. We have taken the appropriate belt tightening actions and are not in a financial crisis and are sitting on a large reserve. Is it appropriate that our reserves have doubled in the last few years of economic downturn while our leadership positions remain vacant?

Like most our organization is not perfect. Compared to other organizations I have worked in we have very few “slackers”. The public perception of lazy, overcompensated government workers does not apply well to the CSD. We are a very small group and we all work as a team and like working with each other and do so effectively. We continue to lose our best employees and are suffering a brain drain. My frustration is I can work harder but not smarter until we have leadership. From an employee perspective John Skeel was nothing but a professional experienced leader. In his 6 months he gathered all the information he could to make informed decisions. He held employee forums and team buildings that had never occurred in my previous several years of employment and they were highly received and supported by the employees anxious to succeed in their jobs. From what I have read in the public comments from the board, John, and in the media it saddens me to see the slander of John’s character and leadership abilities. John said on the channel 13 piece that he was directed to make some cuts and that the board didn’t agree with his plan. I don’t know what those cuts were but it is another example of the board being unwilling to listen to what is best for the CSD from a professional. The board apparently knows better but has never communicated their plan. Now we are stuck with no GM, huge legal fees and are on the hook for a 3 year contract. All this after an exhaustive search to find the perfect GM and the payout of bonuses for finding this man and moving his family here.

As for the “if I don’t like it I can get another job mentality”. Yes I can get another job and for more pay but not for something I like or am so good at. I love my job and it is the perfect fit for me. I like serving the community. I’m very good at my job and my public interactions with members of the community are almost always positive and supportive. Like the people who live here I am proud of our community and our facilities are awesome for a community this size. I think I can do better. I have no direction at the management level. I have much less access to training and professional development than in the past. The continued success of the CSD depends on the employees and we are getting things done with teamwork and very hard work and a more stressful work environment than necessary. Services will begin to suffer as we cannot continue to succeed with this dysfunctional leadership scenario and current staffing levels.

I am a very low level grunt frontline employee who just wants to get the job done. I’m just frustrated that I can’t do more and my expertise and abilities do not seem as valued as they should be. I suffer and the community suffers.

Before someone assumes I was stealing company time by posting this during work time I am on vacation. I was saddened to come home to see all the misinformation and drama.

These are just my opinions and perceptions. As a public forum everyone needs to understand what is posted here are opinions and if they want the truth they need to reach out for it by attending board meetings and being active in what goes on in their community. I would like to see the board and all involved succeed for the sake of the community.

Signed
A skilled professional
Saddened Resident

I am sad to continue to see employee’s jumping into this situation. I wonder how the jobs they were hired to do and are doing have changed in the past year? Are the parks different? Is the pool different? Are delivering programs different? Has the front desk changed?

I called the district to ask some basic questions (i suggest other concerned residents do the same or attend a board meeting as employees suggest I plan too!). What I learned is an Interim GM has been appointed and serves as the Leader of the district and is responsible for the day to day operations and direction of the district.

The Parks Department has had an interim Parks director for the past year – Dave. He is being compensated for being the Parks director. He is responsible for directing his staff on a daily basis. He delevoped the budget for the department and should be making decisions based on that. Questions go to Interim GM fo be answered. I understand part-time seasonal staff has been hired in the parks department to help out.

I Learned the interim Finance Director is Sherry. She also is being compensated to act as the Director and provide leadership for her department. There is a proposal for a hefty investment in accounting software that the board was told may not require the same staffing level afterwards.

The Recreation and Administration Departments may have a legitimate complaints because as I understand it, the Interim GM is also the acting Director for them. She is not receiving additional compensation for the additional two hats she is wearing.

To me it does not seem like the district is without structure and without proper leadership. Do they need permanent Directors, of course, but they are not rutterless.

So, while I understand staff have a right to their opinion. As a taxpayer I’d rather not hear them complaining and mud slinging. I just want to be able to enjoy the pool, parks, and activites without fearing that we are going to run into angry employees.
Concerned Citizen

Saddened Resident, you are are also entiltled to your opinion, as misinformed as it may be. In light of all the “events” occurring over the last few years the employees have done a superb job of performing their jobs which is serving the public. The public has NEVER been subjected to “angry employees” because they are much more professional than that. Remember that Public Employees are also entitled to First Amendment rights and yes they do have the right to expess their opinions. All the employees really want is a supportive and reasonably confortable work environment. Do not think that the employees are afraid of hard work and that any opinions stated are hinting at that. The main reason that the District appears to have structure is because of the hard working, diligent, professional employees. So there is really no complaining, just requests for transparency, which is really what the public wants too.

Honest communications and intentions is all that is needed, whether good or bad, at least the employees would be able have trust and understanding.
Amazing

Dear Saddened Resident, I have some facts to go along with your tale.
1st of all. Dave is not the Interim Parks Director. He is a Lead Supervisor. He is not being compensated as a director, or performing the duty’s of a director. He did not prepare budgets for the entire parks department. Your assumptions are simply not true.
2nd. The Assistant GM has been the highest paid CSD employee since 2008, higher in annual salary than Wayne Lowery ever recieved in his 20 plus years with the district and will surpass John Skeel in no time. The assistant GM was also given 15 days of paid time off this year in the form of extra compensation, a car allowance and benefits. (Better benefits that John Skeel.I might add.) And you know what, good for her! Your defense of her, compensation, and other departments within the district while bagging on parks and finance departments is baffling. do you think employees in those departments are doing something wrong? I don’t get your point. The Assistant GM is well compensated and has the same style of leadership in the recreation and admin departments as parks. and you will give those a departmens a pass on expressing complaints.
Lastly, thanks for letting people have opinions. And that brings up the question of why you read these blogs anyway? What do you expect to read? Your utopia.
The CSD is a mess.
Well Said

Here’s the basics:

The HR Director should be relieved of her job. She hires on a disparate basis (the board is putting itself at serious risk here). Her record speaks for itself. She has a preference toward her religion. Additionally, she is not well liked for her terse attitude and course nature toward employees.

The Board oversteps its bounds by “micro managing” the operation, clearly not their prerogative.

Mr. Skeel’s professionalism is what attracted the board. Now they are protecting the HR manager for some unknown reason. They are clearly, intentionally misstating the nature of this discord. I for one don’t want to pay Mr. Skeel’s income for the rest of his working life while he lives elsewhere, working for someone else. And I don’t believe he wants that either. But if the Board pushes this the wrong way, I’ll guarantee you it is exactly what will happen.

This issue needs further scrutiny by this paper. We citizens of El Dorado Hills are again being held hostage by the capricious nature of this

Board’s cronyism and convoluted reasoning.

I urge as many residents as possible attend this meeting on August 23rd at 6:30 @ CSD on Harvard Way…just follow the throng…hope you get a parking spot close to the building. This is better than “Who Shot JR”.

And I know someone who ISN’T going to be reelected next time out!

Report inappropriate comments
On 8/18/11 at 10:45 AM, BradRice wrote:
The CSDB’s legal council refuses to allow a deposition of the HR Director prior to the August 23rd meeting. What ARE they hiding?
Doug Masters

I attended CSD meeting on Aug 23rd to “See for myself”…What I saw was arrogance, indifference, incompetence and cronyism on the part of the CSD Board.

They want to run the district themselves and are micro-managing the new GM to the point of insane.

Unfortunately, this will result in a wave of lawsuits to DEFEND the CSD’s BOARD MEMBER’S EGOS instead of funding community projects like new parks and athletic fields for the families of EDH.

I say a RECALL of the entire CSD Board is in order.
Retaliation? You be the judge.

After attending the meeting I do think this is a clear case of retaliation. Not retaliation OF the HR manager but retaliation BY the HR manager. The meeting on Tuesday revealed that Mr. Skeel was asked to cut the budget by $100K. It appears as though when the HR manager got word of the proposal (just that a proposal) of her and Sandy being laid off for budgetary reasons, she or Sandy promptly took it to their friend on the Board. Timing is everything. Why was the Board meeting scheduled for early June moved to June 30th? Someone was trying to get their ducks in a row, put Mr. Skeel on leave , change the budget, and approve the budget the next week while Mr. Skeel was on leave and Sandy was sitting in as the interim GM.

I must say, I was expecting a scandal to be revealed about Mr. Skeel. That was not the case at all.