Treasurer-elect asks county to consider short-term severance so incoming treasurer can start early

Amy Perkins, treasurer-elect, asked the Harvey County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 23 to consider offering the county’s current treasurer a short-term severance package so the treasurer-elect can begin work ahead of the Oct. 13 term end. Perkins told commissioners that Becky Fields, the sitting treasurer, “has recently broken a couple bones in addition to her multiple various other medical issues that have caused her to miss quite a bit of work lately.” Perkins said the arrangement would mean the county might temporarily pay two treasurers for about two weeks, but would keep the treasurer’s office fully staffed while Fields recovers. The request came during the public-comment portion of the meeting. Perkins said the arrangement would require “the cooperation of Miss Fields stepping down from her role due to medical reasons” and argued it would “benefit the county as it would allow the treasurer’s office to be fully staffed and have a treasurer in the office daily for the next 2 to 3 weeks.” Commission leaders responded that the county would need legal guidance before taking any steps because the office is an elected position. The chair noted that “we would need some counsel … because it is an elected position, and, we really don't have determination over some of those things. Those are addressed by state law.” No formal motion or vote followed the public comment. The matter was left for further consideration with a request for legal counsel and no timeline was set for a decision. The treasurer-elect and the sitting treasurer were the only speakers to address the office’s staffing at the meeting; the board did not vote on any personnel or compensation action.