Commission asks staff to produce job description for fairgrounds part-time position amid questions about duties and hours

Commissioners discussed the county's part-time position at the fairgrounds on Jan. 27 and directed staff to prepare a formal job description for commission review at the next meeting. The exchanges centered on whether the position should remain an intern slot or persist as a part-time, benefit-eligible job, and what duties and hours justify benefits and certifications.

Commissioner White led the discussion and asked for a written job description to bring back to the board. Joetta Piercy, human resources director, confirmed the county will prepare a job description and present it to the commission for approval. Commissioner White also asked staff to coordinate with the park board and to present the finalized description by the March meeting.

Commissioners reviewed operational details raised during the discussion: the prior internship was structured for about 12 weeks (roughly 500 hours), while the part-time classification under consideration could cover up to 1,040 hours annually. Commissioners and staff discussed how the employee had previously assisted the auditor's office and the elections office (about 40 combined hours during a general election and several days during tax season), and whether that cross-department use should count toward justification for a part-time position. Pay rates mentioned during the discussion included $17 per hour for election workers at one point and a statement that the employee's pay had increased to $18 per hour; payroll and benefits differences were flagged as the principal distinction between internship and part-time status.

The commission did not take a motion to change employment status at the meeting. Instead commissioners directed Joetta Piercy and relevant staff to prepare a written job description and bring it to the February/March agenda: "Can you work with Joetta by the next meeting in March to come up with a full job description to present it to the Commission so we can approve it?" one commissioner asked. Staff said the employee is already onboarded in the current role and the job description will give time to consult with the employee and the park board about duties.

Commissioners also discussed the fairgrounds' evolving role, the potential for an events-coordinator function if the speedway or additional buildings increase activity, and the need to align county expectations, budgeting and any future training or certifications (for example, pesticide/spraying certification) with the job description.

Clarifying details that surfaced in the discussion included that the intern arrangement had been budgeted as roughly 12 weeks full time; the part-time classification discussed could be up to 1,040 hours annually; the employee worked approximately 40 hours during a general election and a few days during tax season under the auditor's budget; and commissioners asked for a formal record of agreed off-season expectations so future commissions have documentation.

The commission closed the discussion without rescinding the prior January 27 appointment. Staff will return with a proposed job description and recommended classification for commission action.

Speakers who addressed the topic included Commissioner White, Commissioner Marsh, Commissioner Claris, Joetta Piercy (human resources director) and Lisa Bailey (fairgrounds employee).