Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Invasive Species Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Skamania County considers converting partnership specialist to full-time amid funding uncertainty
Summary
County staff told the Skamania County Board of Commissioners on May 20 that the partnership specialist position vacated by Cindy Solis could be converted from 0.75 FTE to a full-time role, but funding and contract terms with Clackamas and regional partners must be resolved first.
Skamania County Board of Commissioners members heard May 20 that the county is reviewing a plan to convert its partnership specialist position from 75% time to full-time after the role was vacated by Cindy Solis's retirement.
The change would make the position a full-time job with the same benefits the county now provides to 75% positions, staff said, but county officials cautioned that funding and contract terms with partner agencies — including an existing account at Clackamas County that currently holds Cooperative Weed Agreement (CWA) funds — must be worked out before the change can be finalized.
County natural-resources staff said the Clackamas account likely contains funding for at least the remainder of the year but that Clackamas is switching its rate system July 1. Staff described options including transferring funds to Skamania County, having partner organizations contract directly with Skamania, or having partners continue to route money through Clackamas. Staff said those details would affect the term and scope of any county commitment.
Staff asked to work with Sarah in human resources on a revised job description that would reflect outreach and education duties for the Gorge Cooperative Weed Management Area and related partners. Staff also said they had applied for a grant from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and were awaiting Forest Service contracting for other work; Washington Conservation Corps crews have assisted county projects this spring, staff reported.
Commissioners and staff emphasized the need to confirm stable funding before extending county obligations. One commissioner asked about contract term and whether the county would be “on the hook” for a portion of costs if partner funding dropped; staff replied that they would try to offset any gap within department budgets and that the contract term is a central concern.
The discussion produced direction to draft a revised job description and continue negotiations with Clackamas and other partners; no formal vote was recorded on converting the position during the meeting.
