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Benton County attorney asks board to post immediate vacancy, board approves posting and will revisit second hire
Summary
County Attorney Kathleen Reuter said under-staffing and military leave have left the attorney's office short-handed; the board authorized posting the immediate vacancy and agreed to consider adding a second attorney at the next meeting. The vote carried unanimously among present commissioners.
County Attorney Kathleen Reuter told the Benton County Board of Commissioners the county attorney's office is losing a felony attorney whose last day is Oct. 3 and asked the board to allow her to post and overfill the position so the office can hire two attorneys.
Reuter said the office has had a long-term vacant position since September 2023 because an attorney on military leave has not returned, and the attorney currently on leave has accepted a full-time military position. Reuter asked permission to post the immediate vacancy and to overfill the role so the office could hire two people and avoid prolonged understaffing.
Reuter cited the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) and said staff must keep a position open while someone is on protected military leave, which can last up to five years. She described the request as a small risk if the attorney on leave were to return, but said the office already is strained and faces increased turnover.
Commissioners discussed timing and said posting takes at least two weeks and often up to a month. One commissioner said posting the vacancy now would allow staff to have applicants available for consideration at the next board meeting on Oct. 7.
A motion to approve posting the immediate vacancy and to discuss a potential second hire at the next board meeting was seconded by Commissioner Boyle and carried; commissioners present voted "aye," with the chair calling the question and saying the motion carries. The board did not take a roll-call vote; three commissioners were present.
Reuter and staff said they would proceed with the posting and return to the board for any decision about adding a second, permanent position at the Oct. 7 meeting.
