Committee discusses moving codes employee payroll to codes department; amendment to follow in February

The committee discussed a personnel-budget change concerning Larry McKelvey, who has worked with the county’s codes function for three years. Currently paid through the sheriff’s department, committee members explored transferring his salary to the codes department so the codes office can re-create a deputy position in the sheriff’s budget.

A county staff member explained the plan is not an immediate budget transfer; rather, staff will prepare a formal amendment for the February meeting to move the salary and create a funding path so the sheriff’s office can hire a replacement deputy. The staff member estimated the near-term cost at about $23,604 (number presented in discussion) to cover pay through the next meeting; that amount would then be included in next year’s budget for continuation.

Committee members clarified that McKelvey would remain a deputy sheriff with authority to act as a codes enforcement officer when assigned, and that the county’s long-term staffing counts would not change without formal action. The committee asked staff to return in February with a formal amendment and the supporting budget language so the commission can vote on the transfer.