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County creates communications and marketing coordinator position, board approves amid debate
Summary
The board eliminated the assistant to the county administrator position and created a communications and marketing coordinator; vote was 21–5 with 4 absent. Supporters said it aligns with the county strategic plan; opponents questioned timing during tight budget forecasts.
The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors voted 21–5, with four members absent, on July 8 to eliminate the assistant to the county administrator position and create a communications and marketing coordinator in County Administration.
County Administrator Daniel Lucky proposed the change, saying the county's strategic plan emphasizes tourism, branding and coordinated communications and that the administration needs specialized communications skills rather than duplicative administrative support. The 2025 budgeted salary and benefits for the assistant to the county administrator position were $128,676.77; the proposed communications and marketing coordinator was estimated at $107,285.11 for 2025, a tax-levy savings of $21,418.66 if filled for the full year.
Supporters on HR and finance committees and several supervisors said the role matches long-term strategic needs, would overlap with existing outside communications consulting for a transition, and could consolidate countywide marketing and tourism work. Supervisor Carl Zarling, a committee supporter, said the position is "inevitable" and would help county goals.
Supervisor Brogler, who said he voted against the measure in committee, urged the full board to reject the change due to the county's fiscal outlook and concerns that the assistant role provided needed administrative continuity. Brogler said timing was poor given potential budget shortfalls and vacancies countywide. Supervisor Morris cautioned that communicators should not supplant policy decisions, saying "the wordsmiths don't make policy" and warning against giving the communications role undue policy influence.
The motion required a two-thirds vote of the 30-member board because it amends the adopted budget; the roll call produced 21 yes, 5 no and 4 absent and the resolution passed.
Ending: County officials said the new position will be evaluated in practice and that the administration plans to overlap the coordinator with current consulting support during the remainder of the year.
