Dawson County Community Development asked commissioners Aug. 21 to reclassify a budgeted, unfilled fire planner position to an animal control officer and to use remaining salary funds to pay for a six-month, no-benefits IT internship.

Richard Osborne, community development director, said the department currently holds a budgeted but unfilled fire planner position at grade 17 that was approved earlier this year. After reviewing department needs, Osborne said the greater immediate need is in code compliance, specifically animal control. He requested the board reclassify the fire planner position and reopen a previously frozen animal control officer position at grade 14. "The request is to have the fire planner position, which is at grade 17, reclassified and a previously frozen animal control officer position opened to meet that immediate need," Osborne said.

Osborne also proposed using the remaining funds from the budgeted fire planner position to pay a college IT intern to assist with intergovernmental software improvements, including "object based programming solutions for EPL module based solutions" and other enhancements to improve system functionality. He said the internship would be six months, without benefits, and pay approximately $15 per hour. Osborne told commissioners staff believe existing budgeted funds could cover the internship this year without requesting additional funds.

Commissioners questioned whether continuing the internship into fiscal 2026 would require additional budget authority. A commissioner noted a potential $5,400 shortfall if the internship extended into FY2026; staff said the shortfall could be included in next year's budget process if necessary. No formal action was taken at the work session; staff did not request immediate additional county funds and the item was discussed as a staffing and budget-transfer request for future board consideration.