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Council authorizes attempt to hire part‑time administrative assistant to address staffing shortfalls
Summary
Council authorized staff to attempt to hire a part‑time administrative assistant as a temporary, cross‑training measure to relieve short staffing in borough offices.
Columbia Borough Council on March 11 authorized staff to attempt to hire a part‑time administrative assistant to help fill gaps caused by reduced staffing levels.
Council members and staff described the borough as operating with a "skeleton crew" and said the temporary hire would enable cross‑training, offer immediate relief for routine administrative tasks and give management time to identify the long‑term staffing structure. The temporary hire would start at 20 hours per week; staff provided a proposed hourly rate of $34.91, which includes agency fees.
Council discussed the fiscal impact and whether the position would be covered by an unfilled budgeted line item. Staff said the additional $27,928 would be an additional expenditure beyond currently budgeted amounts and that the temporary hire was intended as a short‑term measure to ensure continuity while the borough evaluates long‑term staffing needs.
Council approved the attempt to hire on a voice vote. Staff said they would proceed with the temporary hire and evaluate the position’s duties and hours during the trial period.
Why it matters: Council and staff said the borough’s reduced staffing has stretched capacity for routine functions and support for committees and that short‑term administrative help will allow staff to keep core operations running while cross‑training occurs.
