County officials clash over financial specialist position

During a recent government meeting, commissioners engaged in a detailed discussion regarding the county's salary schedule and staffing decisions, particularly focusing on the financial specialist position. The conversation highlighted differing opinions on whether to maintain the position, which had been zeroed out in the budget, and the appropriate salary range for it.

Commissioner Kern advocated for keeping the financial specialist role open, suggesting a reduced salary range of $24 to $28 per hour. However, other commissioners expressed concerns that this figure was too low for such a critical position, which typically commands salaries between $48,000 and $50,000 annually due to its responsibilities. They emphasized the competitive job market and the necessity of attracting qualified candidates, with some suggesting a starting salary of $30 per hour to better reflect the role's demands.

The county manager confirmed that the current financial workload was being managed by a contracted individual, but acknowledged the importance of hiring a qualified financial specialist to ensure effective governmental operations. The discussion also touched on the need for a transparent hiring process, with calls for an internal job announcement to ensure equal opportunity for county staff.

In addition to the financial specialist position, the meeting addressed the reassignment of staff within the county manager's office. The county manager explained that Michael had transitioned into a new role to fill gaps left by the vacant financial specialist position, a move that sparked questions about the lack of a formal application process for the reassignment. Commissioners debated the appropriateness of this decision, emphasizing the need for adherence to hiring policies, especially during a budget crisis.

Overall, the meeting underscored the complexities of staffing decisions within the context of budget constraints and the importance of maintaining qualified personnel to support county operations. The commissioners agreed to revisit the salary range for the financial specialist position and to consider a formal internal hiring process moving forward.