Computer plan irks county inspectors

Adrienne Packer

Friday, May 5, 2000 | 11:37 a.m.

Union officials representing Clark County building inspectors claim a plan to install navigational computer systems in employee vehicles exemplifies the lack of trust between workers and management in the Building Department.

Maryanne Dawicki, a Service Employees International Union field representative, said building inspectors called her after managers announced they planned to ask the Clark County Commission's permission to buy the $200,000 computer system.

"There is great concern among employees and rightfully so," Dawicki said. "No one wants their every move tracked. It breeds mistrust and is really bad for morale."

Building employees say the computer equipment is an example of big brother watching over them. But administrators say the system is simply a tool to manage their fleet of 120 vehicles and offer better customer service.

The computers would not only keep track of mileage and speeds, but they would enable supervisors to communicate with all inspectors at once, said Ron Lynn, assistant building director.

Lynn said since inspectors replaced their radios with cell phones, supervisors have no way to inform the crew of an emergency, for example, in which all employees are needed.

The computer system would also allow inspectors to send messages asking for assistance, inform co-workers that they're available or enable supervisors to locate the inspector closest to a job.

The Building Department operates on the fees they collect, not with general fund money. Because the vehicles are the most expensive pieces of equipment, Lynn said, the department wants to ensure they're used and cared for properly.

"We spend just under $1 million on vehicle purchasing, repairs, fueling ... it is one of our major resources," Lynn said. "It seems reasonable to control that resource."

Dawicki said building inspectors fear records will be used as retaliation. She pointed out that when former inspector Marc McNally was being investigated for behaving unethically, administrators pulled records that were years old.

She said there are plenty of mechanisms in place that show exactly what an inspector has done during the day and whether assignments were completed.

"These aren't employees who need more scrutiny," Dawicki said. "It's Clark County management that takes all the extended lunches. Taxpayers would probably be more interested in that."

Dawicki said despite numerous requests for a written policy on exactly how the computers will be used, she has received nothing from the department.

Clark County commissioners have also expressed concern about the manner in which the computer proposal was introduced to employees.

"What bothers me is there seems to be a communication gap," Commissioner Mary Kincaid said when the plan was brought up Tuesday. "There should be some communication so they don't feel they're being suspected of something."

Clark County Commissioner Myrna Williams also cautioned building administrators about the use of the computer systems. She said when state departments began using the system, employees were rankled.

"It totally demoralized the department," Williams said. "I'd like to see it resolved so that we make sure employees do not feel like the CIA is after them. And I have heard that."

Lynn said if administrators were interested in tracking employees' every move, they could do it without the computer system. He emphasized that every vehicle will have a computer, including his own.

Lynn added that the computers will be used if the department receives a complaint, for example, that an employee sped through a school zone.

"Can it be used for discipline? You bet," Lynn said. "I understand that people don't want to be watched, but we're all watched by the public."

Union representatives and building administrators expect to further discuss the computer systems next week. The Clark County Commission is scheduled to consider the proposal during its May 16 meeting.