CLERKS INVITED TO ATTEND COMMISSIONERS COURT EACH WEEK IN NEW PROGRAM
Posted by: Marsha Bills
Patricia Elliott, a long-time clerk in Document Production, asked Special Assistant Felicia Pitre what happens in Commissioners Court each week. With that question began an idea to create a program in which one deputy office-wide will be randomly selected to attend Commissioners Court each week to observe the proceedings. During the last week of each month, four names will be drawn from all deputies in every section of the District Clerk’s office; then those four individuals will be notified about the date on which they are invited to attend. Deputies may decline or accept the invitation, with their supervisor’s approval.
“We think this is a productive way to expand our deputies’ knowledge about how decisions are made that effect all Dallas County departments, not just ours,” says Ms. Pitre. “As in most large organizations, our employees come to work every day and do their prescribed responsibilities, getting only a small view of a much larger picture, especially after years of working in the same department.”
Ms. Elliott, who attended on Tuesday, October 27, found the experience more than she expected. “Decisions that the court makes affect me in a personal way because I’m a Dallas County taxpayer and I wanted to know how my money is being used. The Court also makes decisions affecting our jobs and benefits such as insurance and DART passes,” says Ms. Elliott.
”I also heard for the first time commendations the Court gives organizations in the County, such as a successful charter school that’s exceeding expectations for the students in Oak Cliff. Additionally, I learned that any group or individual who wants to address the court must apply and be approved in advance to get on the agenda. The court has to unanimously agree before that group or individual may speak.”
“I encourage all employees to attend in order to learn more about what’s going on in the County beyond their jobs because they would really appreciate the knowledge they learn during the session. I was delighted to be included in this experience,” concluded Ms. Elliott.