County manager outlines staffing and budget reallocations; commissioners agree to a goals-prioritization workshop

County administration briefed commissioners on internal staffing and budget items: a proposed increase in hours for a deputy emergency manager position, potential reallocation of funds from a clerk-of-the-board vacancy to offset that change, and consideration of modest hour increases for the county's victim advocate. Commissioners directed staff to explore options and to return with firm budget language.

County Manager Leo described year-end closing work and a proposed staffing update: Glenn (emergency manager) requested a deputy position at 30 hours per week; county staff have identified about half the funding in Glenn's current budget and proposed moving remaining funds internally (from a clerk-of-the-board line that is not being fully used because of reassignments). "He was able to come up with just about a little bit more than half the amount needed," Leo said, and county staff estimated that roughly $13,006 would be needed to offset Glenn's increased hours; the remaining balance in the clerk line would remain for potential contracting if necessary.

Commissioners discussed the deputy clerk/minutes duties. Staff said Eli (administrative staff) has been doing minutes though the position was not originally advertised for minute-taking; the county manager proposed moving some internal funds to recognize that role and to provide a modest stipend if needed. Commissioners asked staff to confirm Eli's willingness to continue minutes and to plan for backup coverage when Eli is unavailable.

On the victim's advocate position, managers described a roughly $64,000 program budget with only a portion covered by grant funds; local cost-sharing supports the remainder. Commissioners said they support exploring an increase in hours if workload justifies it and asked staff to gather data on case volumes and need before bringing an adjustment request.

Separately, commissioners endorsed a proposal to hold a half-day goals-prioritization workshop (suggested for May) with staff facilitation to produce a Gantt-style timeline for multi-year projects. Staff offered to coordinate and run the session internally and noted training and facilitation capacity among administration staff; commissioners expressed interest in a working session with clear outputs to inform budgeting and project sequencing.

Ending

Staff will: confirm Eli's role and backup plan for minutes; return a proposed budget adjustment to support Glenn's deputy hours and to document any clerk-of-the-board reallocation; collect data on victim-advocate workload and return recommendations; and schedule a spring goals-prioritization/workshop (May) with staff facilitators and proposed agenda materials.