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After debate, commissioners approve conversion of county webmaster position to full time
Summary
Commissioners approved converting a regular part‑time webmaster position (20 hrs/week) to a full‑time FTE (40 hrs/week) effective Sept. 1, 2016 after debate over timing, budget and salary‑savings policy; the board directed that the position be advertised externally.
Leonardtown, Md. — Following more than an hour of discussion, the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County approved converting the county webmaster from a regular part‑time (20 hours/week) role to a full‑time (40 hours/week) position effective Sept. 1, 2016, and instructed staff to advertise the vacancy externally.
Why it mattered: county IT and department leaders said the volume and technical complexity of web content, database connectivity and external data integrations require a full‑time specialist. Some commissioners objected on fiscal and policy grounds, arguing the conversion should be vetted in the next budget cycle rather than funded mid‑year using salary savings.
What was proposed and approved: Bob Kelly, director of Emergency Services and Technology, told the board the current part‑time role cannot reliably support thousands of web pages, database integrations (for example GIS and tax system links) and API connections. Kelly said the position is currently 20 hours per week and that converting to Grade 8, Step 2 full benefits would cost an estimated $56,111 in FY2018; he proposed offsetting FY2017 costs by delaying hiring for an open help‑desk position through January.
Board debate and votes: Commissioner Mike Hewitt said he was reluctant to use salary savings to fund a new FTE mid‑year and to set a precedent for other departments, noting the countys prior practice against using salary savings for ongoing positions. He said: "I'm just having a tough time supporting a full time webmaster. Get me wrong, buddy. I know we're in this day and age of computers and everything, but I just can't see salary benefits." Commissioner John O'Connor countered that modern county services increasingly rely on web access and data integration, and said he would support the conversion because the need is ongoing.
The board initially voted to table the item to allow a standard budget‑cycle review. That tabling motion passed. Commissioners later revived the item, approved conversion to a full‑time FTE effective Sept. 1, 2016 and required the position be advertised to outside candidates. The motion to convert included direction to advertise publicly; the board recorded that the position would be advertised externally as part of the conversion process.
Implementation and next steps: County staff said the FY2018 ongoing cost of the full‑time position is about $56,111 (Grade 8, Step 2, with benefits) and that an ongoing budget increase of roughly $50,081 would be required in subsequent years. Departments expect to readdress the FY2018 budget during normal budget planning; in the short term, the county will use a hiring delay for an open help‑desk slot to offset the FY2017 cost.
Ending: The board’s decision resolves a longstanding staff request for expanded web services capability; commissioners asked for additional detail on department content loads and cross‑department responsibilities as part of future budget planning.
