Texas Merit System Council: An Inventory of Records at the Texas State Archives, 1940-1985


Overview
	Creator:	Texas Merit System Council.
	Title:	Records
	Dates:	1940-1985
	Abstract:	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.
	Quantity:	5.47 cubic ft.
	Language	English.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Restrictions

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.

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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.

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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.

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Administrative Information

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.

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.

Processing Information

Tony Black, November 1989

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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:
box	folder
1989/156-1	1.		1982-1984
	2.		1981
	3.		1980
	4.		1979
	5.		1978
	6.		1977
	7.		1976
	8.		1975
	9.		1973-1974
		Minutes [notebooks]:
box	folder
1989/156-1	10.		1980-1985
	11.		1976-1980
	12.		1957-1975
	13.		1940-1956
box	folder
1989/156-2	1-18.	Stenographic notebooks, 1973-1982
		Minutes of Merit System Advisory Council of Texas State Department of Health [notebooks]:
box	folder
1989/156-2	19.		1942-1950
	20.		1951-1959

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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.

box

folder

1989/156-3

Common Rule: Regulation for a Merit System of Personnel Administration (effective July 1, 1971)

Rules and Regulations for a Merit System of Personnel Administration:

box

folder

1989/156-3

Division of Defense and Disaster Relief

Texas Employment Commission, 1959

Department of Health, 1959, 1970

Office of Comprehensive Health Planning, 1969

Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, 1969

Department of Public Welfare, 1968

Texas Merit System Council Rules:

box

folder

1989/156-3

10.

Section 12, 1984

11.

Section 13, 1982-1984

12.

Section 17, 1982

Rules of other states:

box

folder

1989/156-3

13.

Arkansas, 1976

14.

New York [test application form only], 1974

15.

Oklahoma, 1976

16.

Oregon, 1975

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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.

box

folder

1989/156-3

17-30.

Correspondence, January-July 1985

31.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Reports, 1982

32.

Governor's Committee on Aging Exemptions, 1979-1983

33.

Deferred Compensation Program, 1982-1984

34.

Memos, Covered Agencies, 1980-1981

35.

U.S. Civil Service Commission, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Correspondence on Agreement, 1978

36.

Claims for Specific Relief, 1979

37.

Grievance, 1984

box

folder

1989/156-4

Correspondence Concerning Newsletters, 1979-1980

Texas Department of Community Affairs, Merit System Coverage (legal brief), 1977

Memo on Preparation of FY 1980 Budget, 1979

Governor's Equal Employment Opportunity Review of Merit System Council, 1978

House Investigation of Merit System Council (including testimony), 1978

Minimum Qualifications for Automated Data Programming (ADP) Classifications, 1977

Correspondence, 1980

Cover Letters for Enclosed Copies of Minutes, 1981-1985

Texas Employment Commission-Merit System Council Agreement, Job Placement Service, 1978

10-26.

Stenographic pads of probable correspondence, 1971-1980

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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:
box	folder
1989/156-4	47.		Beechum, Orange J. v. Texas Employment Commission (1981)
	48.		Bradberry, Anita Y. v. Texas Department of Health (1980)
	49-50.		Dukes, Gracia S. & Montgomery, Lois B. v. Texas Employment Commission (including Supplement) (1980-1981)
	51-52.		Elliott, Earlene N. v. Texas Employment Commission (including Supplement) (1979-1981)
	53.		Euresti, Janey v. Texas Department of Human Resources (1981)
box	folder
1989/156-5	1.		Galban, Albert L.; Pate, Peggy M.; & Elliott, Earlene N. v. Texas Employment Commission (1980)
	2-3.		Harshman, Joanna v. Texas Employment Commission (1984) (including 2 cassette tapes)
	4.		Hejl, Frank E.; Arnold, Frances; Baum, Sam; Lockwood, June; & Tees, Mary v. Texas Department of Health (1979)
	5.		Hejl, Frank E. v. Texas Department of Health (newspaper clippings) (1979-1980)
	6.		Sanchez, Carlos v. Texas Employment Commission (1980)
	7.		Smiley, Gwendolyn J. v. Texas Department of Human Resources (1980)
	8.		Tees, Mary [v. Texas Department of Health] (Report of the Employment of) (1979)
		Reporting Office Correspondence:
box	folder
1989/156-6	1.		Aguilar, Maria, 1979
	2.		Beechum, O. J., 1981
	3.		Bradberry, Anita, 1979-1980
	4.		Brown, John, 1979
	5.		Colvin, Maria, 1979
	6.		De La Cerda, Janie, 1979
	7-9.		Elliott, Earlene, 1980-1981
	10.		Euresti, Janey, 1981
	11.		Galban, Albert, 1979-1980
	12.		Harshman, Joanna, 1983-1984
	13.		Haynes, John, 1980
	14.		Hejl, Frank, 1979-1980
	15.		Marshall, Alcie, 1981
	16.		Marshall, Gladys, 1979-1980
	17.		Montemayor, Amelia, 1979
	18.		Montgomery, Lois & Dukes, Gracia, 1980-1981
	19.		Pate, Peggy, 1979-1980
	20.		Sanchez, Carlos, 1980
	21.		Smiley, Gwendolyn, 1980
	22-23.		Texas Department of Health (Arnold, Baum, Lockwood, Tees), 1979
	24.		San Antonio Investigation (Aguilar, Colvin, De La Cerda, Montemayor), 1979
	25.		Miscellaneous Inquiries, 1979-1983

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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.

box

folder

1989/156-5

Conley, Gloria K. v. Texas Department of Human Resources (1980)

10.

Garza, Joe A. v. Texas Department of Human Resources (1980)

11.

Hejl, Frank E. v. Texas Department of Health (1980)

12.

Hudson, Sara D. [v. Texas Department of Public Welfare] (1964)

13.

Johnson, Gwendolyn P. v. Texas Department of Human Resources (1981)

14.

Kaylor, Jimmy F. v. Texas Department of Human Resources (1982)

15.

Kinney, Linda W. v. Texas Employment Commission (1983)

16.

Metherd, Annajane [v. Texas Employment Commission] (1968)

17.

Peters, Estefana S. v. Texas Department of Human Resources (1981)

18.

Price, John R. (1960)
(thin vinyl recording of hearing, plus shorthand notes)

19.

Villareal, Jose R. v. Texas Department of Human Resources (1981)

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)

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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.

box

folder

1989/156-2

21.

Employees Retirement and Judicial Retirement Systems of Texas Audit Report, 1981

Texas Merit System Council:

22-23.

Audit Report, 1982

24-26.

Audit Report, 1983

27-28.

Annual Financial Report, FY 1982

29-30.

Annual Financial Report, FY 1983

31.

Operating Budget Report, FY 1984

32.

Operating Budget Report, FY 1985

33.

Monthly Budget Balances, 1982-1983

34.

Monthly Budget Balances, 1983-1985

box

folder

1989/156-3

Budget Ledger, October 1, 1980-August 31, 1983

Budget Ledger, September 1, 1983-August 31, 1985

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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.
box	folder
1989/156-4	27.	Merit System Council Annual Report, 1977
	28.	Texas Merit System Monthly Reports, October 1978-July 1981
	29.	Press Releases, 1974-1977
	30.	Senate Bill 737, 65th Legislature, 1977
	31.	Class Series Book, 1972-1978
	32.	Application for Examination Forms, [undated]
	33.	Steven B. Rynecki, "Arrest and Conviction Records: A Report of Recent Developments," 1979
	34.	Texas Employment Commission Newsletters, 1977-1979
	35.	Pamphlets, 1957-1974
	36.	Distribution of Publications, 1973-1978 [notebook]
	37.	Procedures Manual, Director's Secretary, [undated]
	38.	Computer Division Information, 1978
	39.	Procedures: Requests for Copies, [undated]
	40.	Procedures: Fiscal Year Close-Out, 1984
	41.	Order of Procedure for Appeal Hearings, [undated]
	42.	Merit System Council Appeal Forms, [undated]
	43.	Representation Forms, [undated]
	44.	Reporting Office: Form Letters, [undated]
	45.	Reporting Office: Initial Questionnaire Forms
	46.	Reporting Office: Posted Notices, 1979

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