Fingerprinting and criminal background checks are being pushed for all workers.
By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published July 14, 2003
ZEPHYRHILLS - Following the trend of many public agencies and some private companies, the city might make fingerprinting and background checks a condition of employment.
Police Chief Jerry Freeman recommends fingerprinting all new city employees for criminal background checks with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, at a cost of $39 each.
Recent legislation makes it a requirement to fingerprint firefighters. The city already fingerprints all Police Department employees and runs background checks on other employees through their names and Social Security numbers at no cost.
Freeman said expanding that policy to cover all workers would protect the city.
"I don't see any harm in it," Freeman said. "We live in a society where identity theft and people assuming names is really common. Anyone who is really seeking employment should not have a problem with this."
City Manager Steve Spina said the city's insurer also supports the change.
"In a variety of places it's required," Spina said. "Rather than pick and choose, you just have to do everybody."
City Council members will consider the issue in a meeting set for 6 tonight.
Also on the agenda:
- Freeman is recommending that all employees who drive city vehicles have their driver's licenses checked every other year.
- Council members will consider how to allocate a $700,000 state economic development grant earmarked for the site of the future Lowe's store on U.S. 301, on the north edge of the city.
- Spina will ask council members to consider joining a cooperative with Dade City, Saint Leo and San Antonio in the interest of protecting water resources in east Pasco County. Dade City commissioners got on board last week.
In his proposal, Spina wrote that a coalition might be necessary "to counter potential legislative action and the emergence of independent water groups that may endanger east Pasco water resources."
- Mayoral candidate Louie Colandria will appeal to the council for permission to hold a campaign event and block party on Fifth Avenue next month. Spina rejected the request last week, saying the city should not block off streets or in any way be involved in a political event.
