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Board appoints Suzanne Watson as director, approves hires for disability access point staffing
Summary
The supervisors approved Suzanne Watson's appointment as director of community services and authorized several hires and pay-grade red-circle moves as the county prepares to launch a disability access point next week.
The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors appointed Suzanne Watson as director of community services and approved several staffing actions to support a soon-to-launch disability access point.
Watson asked the board to implement the county’s red-circle policy for two employees moving from a refactor grade to a DAP supervisor grade; staff recommended maintaining current hourly rates under the policy until the pay schedule catches up. Watson also asked the board to hire three experienced service coordinators: Lisa Bringle (grade 5-22 step 11), Cheryl Oldenkamp (grade 5-22 step 6) and Kaylene Bishop (grade 5-22 step 4). Watson said the hires bring long-term, relevant experience and that the county will introduce the new staff once they begin.
Nut graf: The board approved internal pay-grade protections and multiple hires to staff a disability access point that county staff said would begin operations in about a week; officials emphasized experience and continuity for the program.
Board members approved Watson’s appointment by voice vote; staff confirmed Watson’s salary included the same 3.25% increase applied to other department heads. Watson said the county remains “patient with the state” as final contract paperwork for the disability access point is completed and that background checks and ID checks for new hires would be done this week.
Ending: The hires and appointment were approved and staff said they expect the disability access point to start within about one week, pending final paperwork and routine onboarding checks.
