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Ashland County executive committee approves year‑round part‑time highway position to shore up summer crew
Summary
The Executive Committee approved a 16‑hour‑per‑week, year‑round part‑time hire for the Highway Department, shifting budgeted summer‑help dollars to fund the post and allowing flexible scheduling to attract candidates.
The Ashland County Executive Committee voted to hire a year‑round, part‑time employee in the Highway Department, funding the position with money already budgeted for summer help.
Committee members said the department has struggled to fill seasonal summer‑help slots for several years and expects the proposed 16‑hour‑per‑week position to provide more consistent staffing and flexibility. The committee moved and seconded the hiring motion and approved it by voice vote.
Highway Department staff described how the budget currently includes funds for four summer‑help positions; in recent years fewer people have applied. Matt, a highway department staff member, told the committee the department typically hosts students from May through August and that some mechanized equipment has reduced the number of flaggers needed. He proposed authorizing one year‑round, 16‑hour‑a‑week position and using part of the summer‑help budget to pay for it.
Matt said the position would be scheduled flexibly — for example, four four‑hour shifts per week, two eight‑hour days, or alternating 10‑ and six‑hour days in peak seasons — to make the role more attractive to candidates who must travel to work. He noted that part‑time employees are ineligible for benefits unless required by law and that hiring would follow rules that preserve that status.
Committee members emphasized the recruitment problems the county faces and supported the flexibility in hours as a tool to attract candidates who might otherwise decline short, seasonal posts. Pat Kinney, a committee member and finance chair, asked about possible scheduling variations; Matt replied that the department would work to stay within legal limits on benefit eligibility while remaining flexible for employees.
The committee recorded no roll‑call vote for the item; the chair called for voices and said the motion carried. Members noted the hiring decision does not require full county board approval and can be acted on by the Executive Committee when funds are available.
The position is expected to relieve pressure on full‑time staff during summer months and to maintain routine tasks in off‑peak seasons such as vehicle washing, shop cleanup and mowing.
The committee asked staff to proceed with advertising the vacancy and to follow hiring rules for part‑time personnel. The highway department intends to start recruiting immediately.
