Overview
Texas Merit System Council.
Records
1940-1985
These records consist
of minutes, rules and regulations, correspondence, investigation files,
transcripts of appeal hearings, budget and audit reports, manuals, press
releases, newsletters, etc. They concern the activities of the Texas Merit
System Council and cover the years of the Council's existence, 1940-1985.
5.47 cubic
ft.
English.
Restrictions on Access
None.
Restrictions on Use
See the Archives Preservation Officer to hear the audiotapes in the
series Reports of investigation and related
correspondence.
See the Archives Preservation Officer to determine if it is possible
to hear the thin vinyl recording in the series Transcripts of appeal hearing.
Preferred Citation
(Identify the item and cite the series), Records, Texas Merit System
Council. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and
Archives Commission.
Agency History
On January 1, 1940, at the urging of the Social Security
Administration of the U.S. government, the Texas Unemployment Compensation
Commission (later renamed the Texas Employment Commission) created a
three-member Merit System Council. Before the end of that first year, the
services of this Council in establishing a merit system of personnel
administration were extended to the State Board of Public Welfare (later
renamed the Texas Department of Human Resources). Since August 5, 1942, the
Texas Department of Health had its own three-member Merit System Council, but
this council had its last meeting on September 24, 1959, complying with a
statement of intent of the Texas Legislature that there be only one merit
system office operating within the state. In 1981, the 67th Texas Legislature
passed Senate Bill 988, which abolished the Merit System Council of the Texas
Employment Commission and created a separate Texas Merit System Council,
transferring non-policymaking personnel, records, funds, and property from the
former to the latter. (Texas Revised Civil Statutes, Article 6252-11d). The
Texas Merit System Council was abolished by the 69th Legislature (Senate Bill
569), effective September 1, 1985; from that date each of the agencies formerly
required to use the Merit System Council's services would be responsible for
its own merit system.
As of 1981, the Texas Merit System Council was composed of six members
appointed by the Governor and approved by the Texas Senate. Members served
overlapping six-year terms, and must not have been employed by any agency
served by the Merit System Council within one year of appointment. The Council
named an Executive Director, who served at its pleasure; in 1983 the Council
employed a staff of 39. The major duty of the Council was to develop procedures
for recruitment, selection, and advancement of highly competent personnel in
state agencies using its services, i.e., the Texas Air Control Board, the
Commission on Alcoholism, the Department of Human Resources, the Department of
Health, the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, the Division of
Disaster Emergency Services of the Department of Public Safety, the Department
on Aging, the Office of the Attorney General, the Surplus Property Agency, and
the Texas Employment Commission. The Council had to develop procedures which
met federal requirements for a merit system of personnel administration
applicable to state and local agencies administering federal programs.
Additionally, the Council established procedures under which applicants for
positions and employees of state agencies which used Council services could
obtain impartial hearings concerning adverse personnel actions taken against
them. To advise the Council and review its rules and policies, an Interagency
Advisory Committee was created, composed of one representative from each agency
using the Council's services. The Advisory Committee, like the Texas Merit
System Council itself, was abolished in 1985.
Scope and Contents of the Records
These records of the Texas Merit System Council include minutes,
agenda, transcripts, and stenographic notes of meetings; rules and regulations;
correspondence; reports of investigations; transcripts of appeal hearings;
financial documents; an annual report, monthly reports of the agency's
activities, press releases, legislation, procedures manuals, newsletters,
pamphlets, forms, etc. The records date from 1940 to 1985.
To prepare this inventory, the described materials were cursorily
reviewed to delineate series, to confirm the accuracy of contents lists, to
provide an estimate of dates covered, and to determine record types.
Organization of the Records
These records are organized into seven series.
- Meetings files, 1940-1985, 1.75 cubic ft.
- Rules and regulations, 1959-1984, 0.25 cubic ft.
- Correspondence, 1971-1985, 0.83 cubic ft.
- Reports of investigations and related correspondence, 1979-1984,
1.3 cubic ft.
- Transcripts of appeal hearings, 1960-1983 (bulk 1980-1983), 0.6
cubic ft.
- Financial documents, 1980-1985, 0.5 cubic ft.
- Other records, 1957-1981, undated, 0.25 cubic ft.
Index Terms
The terms listed here were used to catalog the
records. The terms can be used to find similar or related records.
Subjects:
Civil service
reform--Texas.
Personnel
management--Texas.
Document Types:
Minutes--Texas--Civil
service reform--1940-1985.
Reports--Texas--Civil
service reform--1977-1985.
Correspondence--Texas--Civil service
reform--1971-1985.
Regulations--Texas--Civil
service reform--1959-1984.
Transcripts--Texas--Civil
service reform--1960-1983.
Related Material
The following materials are offered as
possible sources of further information on the agencies and subjects covered by
the records. The listing is not exhaustive.
Texas State
Archives
Texas Office
of the Governor, Records of W. Lee O'Daniel, 1938-1941, undated, 73.79 cubic
ft.
Processing Information
Tony Black, November 1989
Accession Information
Accession number: 1989/156
These records were transferred to the Archives and Information
Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the
Texas State Purchasing and General Services Commission on June 14, 1989.
Detailed Description of the Records
Meetings files,
1940-1985,
1.75 cubic ft.
This series contains typed minutes of Texas Merit System Council
meetings, in four notebooks, 1940-1985; Council meeting notes (including
agenda, transcripts, reports, etc.), 1973-1984; and stenographic pads which
contain shorthand minutes of Council meetings, 1973-1982. Also included are two
notebooks containing typed minutes of meetings of the Merit System (Advisory)
Council of the Texas State Department of Health, 1942-1959.
Arrangement
Meeting notes are arranged in reverse chronological order followed
by minutes arranged in reverse chronological order. Advisory Council minutes
are arranged chronologically.
Preferred Citation
(Identify the item), Meetings files, Records, Texas Merit System
Council. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and
Archives Commission.
Council meeting notes:
1989/156-1
1.
1982-1984
1989/156-1
2.
1981
1989/156-1
3.
1980
1989/156-1
4.
1979
1989/156-1
5.
1978
1989/156-1
6.
1977
1989/156-1
7.
1976
1989/156-1
8.
1975
1989/156-1
9.
1973-1974
Minutes
[notebooks]:
1989/156-1
10.
1980-1985
1989/156-1
11.
1976-1980
1989/156-1
12.
1957-1975
1989/156-1
13.
1940-1956
1989/156-2
1-18.
Stenographic notebooks,
1973-1982
Minutes of Merit System Advisory
Council of Texas State Department of Health
[notebooks]:
1989/156-2
19.
1942-1950
1989/156-2
20.
1951-1959
Rules and regulations,
1959-1984,
0.25 cubic ft.
This series contains Texas rules and regulations for a merit
system of personnel administration, 1959-1984, including a common rule, 1971; a
number of agency-specific rules, 1959-1970; and Texas Merit System Council
rules regarding adverse actions, appeals, and discrimination, 1982-1984. Also
included are rules from several other states (Arkansas, New York, Oklahoma, and
Oregon), 1974-1976.
Arrangement
These records are arranged as described.
Preferred Citation
(Identify the item), Rules and regulations, Records, Texas Merit
System Council. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library
and Archives Commission.
1989/156-3
3.
Common Rule: Regulation for a Merit System of Personnel
Administration
(effective July 1, 1971)
Rules and Regulations for a Merit
System of Personnel Administration:
1989/156-3
4.
Division of Defense and Disaster Relief
1989/156-3
5.
Texas Employment Commission,
1959
1989/156-3
6.
Department of Health,
1959, 1970
1989/156-3
7.
Office of Comprehensive Health Planning,
1969
1989/156-3
8.
Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation,
1969
1989/156-3
9.
Department of Public Welfare,
1968
Texas Merit System Council Rules:
1989/156-3
10.
Section 12,
1984
1989/156-3
11.
Section 13,
1982-1984
1989/156-3
12.
Section 17,
1982
Rules of other states:
1989/156-3
13.
Arkansas,
1976
1989/156-3
14.
New York [test application form only],
1974
1989/156-3
15.
Oklahoma,
1976
1989/156-3
16.
Oregon,
1975
Correspondence,
1971-1985,
0.83 cubic ft.
This series consists of correspondence, subject files, memos,
reports, charts, briefs, newsletters, testimony, stenographic pads, etc. dating
from 1971 to 1985 of the Texas Merit System Council. One portion contains
folders labelled Date File, January-July 1985.
These include outgoing correspondence from Texas Merit System Council staff
members to other state agencies and to private citizens, touching on such
matters as verification of employment, exam scores, appeals, interagency
advisory committee meetings, certification of purchase vouchers, etc. Another
group of files are subject files containing correspondence in addition to
memos, reports, charts, briefs, newsletters, testimony, etc. Finally there are
17 stenographic pads containing shorthand notes of what appears to be
correspondence, 1971-1980.
Arrangement
Date Files are arranged in reverse
chronological order; subject files are randomly ordered.
Preferred Citation
(Identify the item), Correspondence, Records, Texas Merit System
Council. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and
Archives Commission.
1989/156-3
17-30.
Correspondence,
January-July 1985
1989/156-3
31.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Reports,
1982
1989/156-3
32.
Governor's Committee on Aging Exemptions,
1979-1983
1989/156-3
33.
Deferred Compensation Program,
1982-1984
1989/156-3
34.
Memos, Covered Agencies,
1980-1981
1989/156-3
35.
U.S. Civil Service Commission, Office of Personnel
Management (OPM) Correspondence on Agreement,
1978
1989/156-3
36.
Claims for Specific Relief,
1979
1989/156-3
37.
Grievance,
1984
1989/156-4
1.
Correspondence Concerning Newsletters,
1979-1980
1989/156-4
2.
Texas Department of Community Affairs, Merit System
Coverage (legal brief),
1977
1989/156-4
3.
Memo on Preparation of FY 1980 Budget,
1979
1989/156-4
4.
Governor's Equal Employment Opportunity Review of Merit
System Council,
1978
1989/156-4
5.
House Investigation of Merit System Council (including
testimony),
1978
1989/156-4
6.
Minimum Qualifications for Automated Data Programming
(ADP) Classifications,
1977
1989/156-4
7.
Correspondence,
1980
1989/156-4
8.
Cover Letters for Enclosed Copies of Minutes,
1981-1985
1989/156-4
9.
Texas Employment Commission-Merit System Council
Agreement, Job Placement Service,
1978
1989/156-4
10-26.
Stenographic pads of probable correspondence,
1971-1980
Reports of investigations and related correspondence,
1979-1984,
1.3 cubic ft.
This series contains final reports of eleven investigations
conducted by the Texas Merit System Council (Reporting Office) between 1979 and
1984, on charges of racial, sexual, retaliatory, or other discrimination filed
against the Texas Department of Health, the Texas Department of Human
Resources, and the Texas Employment Commission. These reports were filed
pursuant to the Agreements between the United States of America and the three
agencies involved, and pursuant to Section 15(2) of the Agreement between the
United States of America and the Texas Merit System Council (Civil Action No.
A-78-CA-286). A typical investigation report is composed of a preface; sections
on issues, complaint or claim, documentation, interviews, and/or
inconsistencies; plus attachments.
In addition, this series contains correspondence files related to
these investigations and others. A typical file consists of the original
complaint (Statement of Claim for Relief), a Merit System Council (Reporting
Office) Initial Questionnaire, copies of all pertinent correspondence and
memoranda, and the Notice of Decision.
Arrangement
Arrangement for each type of file is alphabetical by last name of
the plaintiff.
Reports of Investigations:
1989/156-4
47.
Beechum, Orange J. v. Texas Employment Commission
(1981)
1989/156-4
48.
Bradberry, Anita Y. v. Texas Department of Health
(1980)
1989/156-4
49-50.
Dukes, Gracia S. & Montgomery, Lois B. v. Texas
Employment Commission (including Supplement)
(1980-1981)
1989/156-4
51-52.
Elliott, Earlene N. v. Texas Employment Commission
(including Supplement)
(1979-1981)
1989/156-4
53.
Euresti, Janey v. Texas Department of Human Resources
(1981)
1989/156-5
1.
Galban, Albert L.; Pate, Peggy M.; & Elliott,
Earlene N. v. Texas Employment Commission
(1980)
1989/156-5
2-3.
Harshman, Joanna v. Texas Employment Commission
(1984)
(including 2 cassette tapes)
1989/156-5
4.
Hejl, Frank E.; Arnold, Frances; Baum, Sam; Lockwood,
June; & Tees, Mary v. Texas Department of Health
(1979)
1989/156-5
5.
Hejl, Frank E. v. Texas Department of Health
(newspaper clippings)
(1979-1980)
1989/156-5
6.
Sanchez, Carlos v. Texas Employment Commission
(1980)
1989/156-5
7.
Smiley, Gwendolyn J. v. Texas Department of Human
Resources
(1980)
1989/156-5
8.
Tees, Mary [v. Texas Department of Health] (Report of
the Employment of)
(1979)
Reporting Office Correspondence:
1989/156-6
1.
Aguilar, Maria,
1979
1989/156-6
2.
Beechum, O. J.,
1981
1989/156-6
3.
Bradberry, Anita,
1979-1980
1989/156-6
4.
Brown, John,
1979
1989/156-6
5.
Colvin, Maria,
1979
1989/156-6
6.
De La Cerda, Janie,
1979
1989/156-6
7-9.
Elliott, Earlene,
1980-1981
1989/156-6
10.
Euresti, Janey,
1981
1989/156-6
11.
Galban, Albert,
1979-1980
1989/156-6
12.
Harshman, Joanna,
1983-1984
1989/156-6
13.
Haynes, John,
1980
1989/156-6
14.
Hejl, Frank,
1979-1980
1989/156-6
15.
Marshall, Alcie,
1981
1989/156-6
16.
Marshall, Gladys,
1979-1980
1989/156-6
17.
Montemayor, Amelia,
1979
1989/156-6
18.
Montgomery, Lois & Dukes, Gracia,
1980-1981
1989/156-6
19.
Pate, Peggy,
1979-1980
1989/156-6
20.
Sanchez, Carlos,
1980
1989/156-6
21.
Smiley, Gwendolyn,
1980
1989/156-6
22-23.
Texas Department of Health (Arnold, Baum, Lockwood,
Tees),
1979
1989/156-6
24.
San Antonio Investigation (Aguilar, Colvin, De La
Cerda, Montemayor),
1979
1989/156-6
25.
Miscellaneous Inquiries,
1979-1983
Transcripts of appeal hearings,
1960-1983
(bulk 1980-1983),
0.6 cubic ft.
This series is composed of transcripts and one recording of eleven
appeal hearings before the Texas Merit System Council, mostly during the early
1980s, against actions taken by the Texas Department of Health, the Texas
Department of Human Resources, and the Texas Employment Commission. These
hearings constitute only a sampling of the hearings that were held between 1960
and 1983, and are preserved as examples of this important function of the Texas
Merit System Council. Also included is a deposition which forms part of a civil
suit heard before a U.S. District Court in 1982.
Arrangement
Arrangement is alphabetical by last name of the plaintiff.
Preferred Citation
(Identify the item), Transcripts of appeal hearings, Records,
Texas Merit System Council. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas
State Library and Archives Commission.
1989/156-5
9.
Conley, Gloria K. v. Texas Department of Human Resources
(1980)
1989/156-5
10.
Garza, Joe A. v. Texas Department of Human Resources
(1980)
1989/156-5
11.
Hejl, Frank E. v. Texas Department of Health
(1980)
1989/156-5
12.
Hudson, Sara D. [v. Texas Department of Public Welfare]
(1964)
1989/156-5
13.
Johnson, Gwendolyn P. v. Texas Department of Human
Resources
(1981)
1989/156-5
14.
Kaylor, Jimmy F. v. Texas Department of Human Resources
(1982)
1989/156-5
15.
Kinney, Linda W. v. Texas Employment Commission
(1983)
1989/156-5
16.
Metherd, Annajane [v. Texas Employment Commission]
(1968)
1989/156-5
17.
Peters, Estefana S. v. Texas Department of Human
Resources
(1981)
1989/156-5
18.
Price, John R.
(1960)
(thin vinyl recording of hearing, plus shorthand
notes)
1989/156-5
19.
Villareal, Jose R. v. Texas Department of Human
Resources
(1981)
1989/156-5
20.
Ramon, Rodrigo Jr. v. Texas Department of Human
Resources (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, Brownsville
Division) (B-80-57) (deposition of Harold Monk,
1982)
Financial documents,
1980-1985,
0.5 cubic ft.
This series consists of a number of financial reports for the
Texas Merit System Council, including Audit Reports, 1982-1983; Annual
Financial Reports, FY 1982 and 1983; Operating Budget Reports, FY 1984 and
1985; unbound monthly Budget Balances, 1982-1985; and two post binders of
budget ledgers, 1980-1985.
Arrangement
These records are arranged as listed.
Preferred Citation
(Identify the item), Financial documents, Records, Texas Merit
System Council. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library
and Archives Commission.
1989/156-2
21.
Employees Retirement and Judicial Retirement Systems of
Texas Audit Report,
1981
1989/156-2
Texas Merit System Council:
1989/156-2
22-23.
Audit Report,
1982
1989/156-2
24-26.
Audit Report,
1983
1989/156-2
27-28.
Annual Financial Report,
FY 1982
1989/156-2
29-30.
Annual Financial Report,
FY 1983
1989/156-2
31.
Operating Budget Report,
FY 1984
1989/156-2
32.
Operating Budget Report,
FY 1985
1989/156-2
33.
Monthly Budget Balances,
1982-1983
1989/156-2
34.
Monthly Budget Balances,
1983-1985
1989/156-3
1.
Budget Ledger,
October 1, 1980-August 31,
1983
1989/156-3
2.
Budget Ledger,
September 1, 1983-August 31,
1985
Other records,
1957-1981, undated,
0.25 cubic ft.
This series contains a variety of records, 1957-1981, undated,
including one annual report (1977), monthly reports of the Texas Merit System
Council activities (1978-1981), press releases, legislation, procedures
manuals, newsletters, pamphlets, forms, etc.
Arrangement
These records are arranged randomly.
Preferred Citation
(Identify the item), Other records, Records, Texas Merit System
Council. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and
Archives Commission.
1989/156-4
27.
Merit System Council Annual Report,
1977
1989/156-4
28.
Texas Merit System Monthly Reports,
October 1978-July 1981
1989/156-4
29.
Press Releases,
1974-1977
1989/156-4
30.
Senate Bill 737, 65th Legislature,
1977
1989/156-4
31.
Class Series Book,
1972-1978
1989/156-4
32.
Application for Examination Forms,
[undated]
1989/156-4
33.
Steven B. Rynecki, "Arrest and Conviction Records: A
Report of Recent Developments,"
1979
1989/156-4
34.
Texas Employment Commission Newsletters,
1977-1979
1989/156-4
35.
Pamphlets,
1957-1974
1989/156-4
36.
Distribution of Publications,
1973-1978
[notebook]
1989/156-4
37.
Procedures Manual, Director's Secretary,
[undated]
1989/156-4
38.
Computer Division Information,
1978
1989/156-4
39.
Procedures: Requests for Copies,
[undated]
1989/156-4
40.
Procedures: Fiscal Year Close-Out,
1984
1989/156-4
41.
Order of Procedure for Appeal Hearings,
[undated]
1989/156-4
42.
Merit System Council Appeal Forms,
[undated]
1989/156-4
43.
Representation Forms,
[undated]
1989/156-4
44.
Reporting Office: Form Letters,
[undated]
1989/156-4
45.
Reporting Office: Initial Questionnaire Forms
1989/156-4
46.
Reporting Office: Posted Notices,
1979