Committee recommends reclassification and new job pairing for deputy administrator/finance director as county prepares for retirement

On Sept. 16, 2025, the Barry County Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole voted to recommend that the Board remove the deputy administrator/finance director position from the classification system, approve a new job description and set pay pairings for 2025-26 to attract a candidate to an expanded role.

County staff told the committee the action responds to the announced retirement of Louella, the incumbent, at the end of the year and the county's desire to centralize financial functions. "Louella will be retiring at the end of the year. So in efforts to move forward on placing the open position up, I want to take the opportunity to revisit the job description," a county administrator or staff presenter said. Staff said some accounting and accounts-payable duties will move to the administrator's office to create a single finance function and that the revised deputy role would include supervisory responsibilities.

Staff said the county compared pay and duties with similar counties and found the current range was below market; the recommended change sets a salary range for 2025-26 intended to attract candidates with stronger accounting and finance backgrounds.

Commissioners generally supported the change, citing a loss of institutional knowledge as multiple long-tenured staff retire and endorsing the need for a professionally skilled finance position. Commissioner White asked whether moving duties from other departments would require adjustments in manpower and budget; staff responded they believe funds exist in the budget and that the change is a modification to an existing position rather than creation of an entirely new post.

Motion by Hatfield, support by Campbell, recommended that the Board of Commissioners approve removing the deputy administrator/finance director from the classification system, approve a new job description and approve pay pairings for the 2025-26 period. The committee chair called for the ayes and the motion carried.

The committee's recommendation will be forwarded to the full Board for final action. Staff said they will continue to evaluate work distribution across elected offices and administrative roles as hires and retirements occur.