Klamath County approves reclassification combining two payroll positions, small annual cost

Klamath County commissioners on Sept. 16 approved reclassifying and consolidating two payroll positions so a current employee can carry both sets of duties.

The board voted to reclassify the remaining payroll clerk position to a single payroll clerk role on the non‑union pay scale 25, effective Sept. 3, 2025. County staff said the change took effect the day the employee began performing the duties of both positions. County staff estimated the annual fiscal impact at $4,814.41 and said the department has funds available because the Payroll Clerk 1 position will not be refilled.

The request was presented “on behalf of Vicki Knoll, finance director,” according to staff. The staff presentation said the current payroll clerk 2 will move from pay scale 22, step 7, to pay scale 25, step 5.

A commissioner asked the board to treat the consolidation as a three‑month trial and warned the combined role “is a heavy lift,” saying the county would revert if it did not work. The board thanked the employee for volunteering to try the combined role. The motion to approve the reclassification passed by voice vote with all commissioners present indicating “aye.”

The discussion established that the change is temporary to be evaluated, that the effective date is Sept. 3, 2025, and that the department will monitor workload and flag issues if the arrangement proves unworkable.

Fiscal detail: the staff estimate provided to the board was $4,814.41 in annual increased cost tied to the reclassification; staff said existing department funds cover that amount.

No ordinance, statute, or policy citation was given during the presentation.

The board directed staff to monitor the arrangement and return if the combined position proves unworkable or needs formal adjustment.