At a recent Columbia County meeting, staff members reviewed several administrative items including temporary staffing for a mobile café at the fairgrounds during the county fair, an upcoming partner recognition luncheon, outreach by the county attorney about a pending matter and plans to begin department performance evaluations in August.

The most immediate operational item involved a mobile café that will operate at the fairgrounds during the final days of the fair. Staff member 1 said the county had agreed that “as long as she was getting her stuff here in the morning's done, that she could go out there and help them,” and that any work beyond the employee’s regular hours would either be paid or done on a volunteer basis. The meeting record does not specify the employee’s name, the vendor operating the café or whether the county has a written agreement covering overtime or volunteer work.

Staff member 1 also announced a retirement party scheduled for Friday; no date or location beyond that description was provided in the discussion.

County staff discussed an upcoming Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization (RDPO) luncheon at a venue referred to in the transcript as the “John Gem.” Staff member 1 said the luncheon would recognize partners who helped with an “emergency drinking water plan in Upholpea County.” The transcript spelling of the county name is unclear; the meeting did not provide a definitive spelling or jurisdictional confirmation.

On an unresolved legal matter, staff reported that Betsy had contacted a number of people, including representatives and an attorney, and that the attorney had been reaching out directly. Staff member 1 said she expected an update “real soon,” and another participant said they would attend any convening that included the attorney, adding that the attorney “shouldn't be meeting you individually without us.” The meeting did not record a formal direction to the attorney or a vote on representation.

Regarding routine oversight, the group discussed starting departmental evaluations in August. Staff member 1 said she planned to begin with the assessor's office and requested brief, 10-minute updates from departments at morning meetings. Participants debated whether portions of those updates should be public or part of formal evaluations; one speaker suggested FaceTime or remote options, while others preferred in-person or public presentations for regular updates. No formal decision to change evaluation procedures or to require public presentations was recorded.

The meeting also noted an upcoming executive session in which no formal actions would be taken. Aside from the administrative scheduling and outreach updates summarized above, the transcript did not record motions, votes, ordinance changes or contract awards.

County staff said more updates would be provided as arrangements and attorney discussions progressed.