By Michael Mroziak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-986432.mp3
Buffalo, NY – The woman selected by Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown to replace the city's fired human resources director is just one step away from being officially hired.
Patricia Folts left council members impressed during questioning Thursday during a Common Council Committee hearing.
Common Council President David Franczyk called Patricia Folts' resume a human resources resume, implying that she is indeed qualified to take the job as the city's Human Resources director based on her credentials, not politics.
Franczyk was among the lawmakers who advised her to avoid the internal politics of City Hall.
"I think irrespective of politics, the top HR executive in any organization comes under pressure that its executive team wants it to do or its board members want it to do. Often times the HR person may have a personal opinion but can certainly do what's being asked of them ethically. Other times it's been my experience where I've had to say I can't do that but here's another option for you," said Folts.
Folts was asked how she'd avoid those mistakes and what changes she'll make upon taking the job.
"Coming from a Sarbanes-Oxley background, putting in key controls between payroll and human resources is something I'm well versed in, especially in the benefits component. You regularly have reviews between payroll and human resources to check the termed employee list, you regularly ask employees during open enrollment to recertify who their dependents are, you randomly check up on those dependents, in a random pattern," said Folts.
Folts is in line to fill the post left vacant since the city fired Karla Thomas earlier this year.
Under Thomas' leadership the HR department was caught up in scandals including bad audits and benefits still being paid out to deceased employees.
The Common Council committee that interviewed Patricia Folts Thursday moved to recommend her confirmation at next Tuesday's full Council meeting.
Considering all but one council member sat in on Thursday's hearing, it appears a mere formality Folts will be officially hired next week.