Court discusses increasing custodian position to 0.75 FTE to cover county facilities

County facilities staff asked the Gilliam County Court to increase a custodial position from 0.49 full-time equivalent (FTE) to 0.75 FTE to accommodate expanded cleaning and maintenance responsibilities across county buildings.

Daryl Hoteling of the facilities department explained that the county has added maintenance of the courthouse, library, county offices, bus barn, Burns Park restrooms and soon the transportation building. The facilities workload, he said, no longer fits within the existing part-time hours. “In order to accommodate the current cleaning, maintenance schedule, and add new duties coming, it would be beneficial for the county to increase it from 0.49 to 0.75,” Hoteling said.

Facilities staff provided salary estimates, explaining the added benefits would raise the total cost when taxes, PERS and insurance are included. Commissioners said they supported the change in principle and noted budget mechanisms — including an allocation transfer at budget time — exist to cover salary and benefit adjustments if needed.

Why it matters: The requested FTE increase responds to documented workload growth across county-owned properties; commissioners and staff emphasized the current incumbent is working near capacity and the change would reduce burnout and provide coverage during extended absences.

Next steps: The court asked staff to revise the job description and return the item at the next meeting with an implementation plan and budget adjustments. Commissioners also said they could consider adjustments during the normal budget process if necessary.

Ending: The matter was continued; staff will prepare a revised job description and cost estimate for a future meeting.