Clerk seeks to retain statutory first‑deputy pay structure; council approves WIS recommendations but flags statutory options

Johnson County Clerk Trina Bogdan presented her office budgets and raised a statutory question about the clerk’s first‑deputy classification. The clerk told the council the first deputy role has historically been treated as a statutory appointed first deputy for the clerk’s two distinct offices (clerk’s office and voter registration) and asked that the council follow the WIS recommendations while accounting for unique statutory language that governs clerk staffing in counties with multiple courts.

Council members and staff reviewed past payroll practice and WIS guidance. Staff explained that state statute provides that for clerks in counties with a certain number of courts the clerk may name a first deputy and that the ordinance must reflect a registered salary for that position. Councilors discussed two practical paths: (1) keep the first deputy as a statutory appointed position and set pay consistent with statute/WIS midpoint, or (2) classify the position under the county COMOT chart and apply the internal midpoint. The clerk asked for the council to accept her budget under the WIS framework; after discussion, councilors approved the budget for the clerk’s funds at first reading and left the clerk to choose whether to keep the statutory first‑deputy classification or to reclassify the position. Staff noted that whichever route the clerk chooses will have payroll and classification consequences and will be finalized prior to second reading.

Council members asked the clerk to confirm any job‑description changes, and staff will ensure the payroll and classification are consistent with the final decision.