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CHARLOTTE – Mecklenburg County Commissioners concluded Wednesday that the Department of Social Services followed policy in its recent hiring practices.

DSS Director Mary Wilson faced allegations that her department used favoritism in hiring employees last year. Commissioners questioned Wilson and other county leaders in closed session about the allegations, but ultimately came to the conclusion that DSS employees hadn't used connections to get hired.

"We are satisfied that the postings, and the people who applied, were treated fairly,” Mecklenburg County Commissioner Jennifer Roberts said.

Commissioners examined whether DSS leaders used preferential treatment in hiring a few mid- to high-level DSS employees last year. One job was posted for one day.

"If we had to do it again, we would post it six days, we would post it seven days," DSS Director Mary Wilson said.

Now, that timeframe is county policy. Thursday, Manager Harry Jones implemented a change forcing every county job opening to be posted for at least six business days.

"If the county manager thinks that's the best way to present opportunities to the public, I totally support that," Wilson said.

County leaders also concluded nearly 70 people were hired at DSS between last July and December, before the county enacted a hiring freeze in February. Of those hires, commissioners said they found no wrongdoing.

"We concluded as a group, that policy was followed, that good candidates were hired," Roberts said.

Wilson said she's confident in the department's policy.

"I'm striving to do the best job I can do at DSS," Wilson said. "In bringing in the best talent, who their spouses are, who their parents are – that is totally not relevant."

Following their closed session questions, county leaders said the DSS hiring situation is now resolved and doesn't need further review.