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Decatur County to hire new EMA director at $55,000, commissioners say
Summary
The Decatur County Board of Commissioners agreed to hire a new Emergency Management Agency director and to set the candidate’s salary at $55,000, officials said. County and state shares of payroll costs, pension and FICA implications were discussed and the county will adjust next year’s budget accordingly.
Commissioners for Decatur County agreed at the meeting to hire a new Emergency Management Agency director and to set the successful candidate’s salary at $55,000, county officials said.
The decision matters because the county bears part of the salary and related payroll costs. “As you know, Brad Spears resigned as the EMA director, and we were looking for a new EMA director,” Commissioner Brian Renee said, describing the hiring process, which drew 16 applicants and five interviews. He said the county selected one candidate and the candidate requested a $55,000 salary.
Renee said the requested salary is about $1,357 more than the current director’s pay and explained the payroll impact in detail. He said the FICA difference between the current director’s amount and a $55,000 salary would be roughly $105 and the PERF (pension) difference about $155; combined with salary the total near-term difference is about $1,622. “So minimal amount of difference in the pipe and the and the perk,” Renee said. He added that roughly half of the position’s salary is paid by the state.
County officials told commissioners the county has funds in the current year’s budget to cover the additional amount this year, but that the 2026 budget will need to be adjusted to reflect the $55,000 salary. Renee also noted that Gary, the interim director, has been paid director-level pay while performing full-time duties and will revert to part time once the new director begins work.
Commissioners discussed candidate salary expectations and the county’s salary study ranges, noting some applicants sought higher pay. Renee said the hiring panel had identified two leading candidates and that the chosen candidate matched the county’s needs and pay request. He described the job posting and that the salary range was not included when posted.
The board did not discuss additional details of the employment contract at the meeting. Next steps noted by staff were to finalize the hire and to amend future budgets to reflect the approved salary.
