Auditor seeks new Licensing & Recording classification and 5% certification incentive paid from restricted O&M fund

Auditor’s office leadership asked the board to approve a reclassification and a certification‑based salary incentive for licensing and recording staff.

Jessica Warren in human resources and the auditor’s presentation explained the change: rename and reclassify certain deputy auditor positions to a new Licensing and Recording Specialist classification, and grant a 5 percent salary increase to employees who achieve two years’ service and complete the state recording certification. The auditor’s staff said the O&M (operations and maintenance) fund — a restricted fund intended for records preservation and the auditor’s recording software system — has sufficient balance to absorb the cost and that the request would not impact the general fund.

Staff said the current proposal affects two lead positions and one employee eligible for the specialist‑3 level initially, and that up to six employees could be affected over time as they meet the time and certification thresholds. Human resources and the auditor’s office said they have met with the union and obtained committee approval; commissioners said they were concerned about cross‑office effects because other departments use deputy‑style titles and could request similar reclassifications.

Commissioners asked for the item to be included in the next personnel/budget workshop so treasury and clerk representatives could participate and for a written policy that standardizes how such requests should be made and evaluated. Treasurer Deborah Gardner and other elected officials raised concerns that a change here could prompt requests elsewhere. County HR said it is updating policy and will draft a standard form and process for future requests.

Ending: Commissioners agreed to add the reclassification and incentive request to next week’s personnel workshop for a fuller budget and policy discussion before final action.