Proposal C-8R, sponsored by Commissioner Kate Ginn and advanced for final consideration, would amend Charter sections 7.10 and 7.20 to require open and competitive recruitment and merit-based selection for County appointed positions. It explicitly calls for public-facing hiring processes for appointive officials such as department heads, interim roles, and certain exempt positions, and clarifies exemptions while maintaining affirmative action and nondiscrimination obligations.If this charter language is adopted and then implemented via ordinance and HR policies, Pierce County will need to refine recruitment workflows, advertising strategies, applicant tracking, and screening practices across departments. That creates demand for HR consulting, recruitment marketing, and potentially upgraded applicant tracking or talent management systems to support transparent, competitive hiring at leadership levels.

Key change is adding explicit charter-level requirements that recruitment be open and competitive, with selections based on abilities, qualifications, and relevant experience; allows exceptions for acting or interim officers.