Committee rejects creation of part‑time executive assistant role after budget and duty debate

County Manager Dan proposed creating a part‑time executive assistant to relieve administrative tasks — assembling meeting packets, drafting minutes and supporting policy and ERP work — and asked the Committee on Administration on Aug. 14 to approve development of the position.

Dan said the role would be part time (about 30 hours per week as discussed) and funded in part by savings from not filling his former IT position; he described examples of time spent on administrative tasks, including four hours assembling one 270‑page packet. Dan said the new role would also support policy and procedure documentation tied to the county’s ERP project.

Nut graf: Committee members debated whether the duties proposed to the assistant duplicate tasks described in the county manager ordinance and whether the budget can accommodate a new position in a tight fiscal year; after discussion and an amendment to remove one related policy from an approval bundle, the committee voted not to proceed with the position at this time.

Supervisors and staff discussed scope and cost. Jenna and others raised concerns about workload distribution and the impact on existing staff duties. Supervisor Michelle (recorded as opposing) noted that many duties Dan described are assigned to the county manager by ordinance and argued the county should not outsource ordinance duties in a tight budget year; she suggested ordinance amendments would be the appropriate vehicle if the board wanted to reassign duties. Several supervisors suggested delaying or reducing hours and asked for a clearer job description and cost estimate.

The committee took a formal vote after discussion. A motion to develop/approve the position was made and seconded; after member debate the chair put the question and the committee decided not to move forward with creating the position at this time.

Ending: The county manager and staff may revisit staffing needs and possible ordinance changes later in the budget cycle; the committee did not approve the executive assistant role today.