Finney County creates communications and engagement position, to be funded from clerk budget this year

The Finney County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize creation of a communications and engagement position now, to be funded from the county clerk's remaining intern funds in 2025 and placed in the 2026 budget as a full-time position.

County Clerk Doree Munyon told commissioners the role is intended to centralize public information and engagement efforts, manage public information campaigns, support community and employee engagement, promote county programs and strengthen Finney County's public image. Munyon said the position is already included in the proposed 2026 budget as full time but the clerk recommended hiring now using existing intern funds because there are fewer elections this year.

Munyon said the county would advertise the position and accept applications; she and Interim Administrator Gary Meager will conduct interviews. Commissioners asked whether the 2026 budget assumes the role is full-time and discussed whether the new administrator, once hired, might reassign the position to another office. Munyon and Meager said that is possible; Munyon said she does not object.

The motion to authorize creation of the communications position in 2025, funded from the county clerk budget, was moved and seconded and approved on a voice vote.

Commissioners emphasized the potential role in sales-tax education and other outreach efforts; one commissioner suggested the new hire bring proposals for digital signage and other public-facing communications tools to the board in a future meeting. Munyon said she would advertise the job and that she and Meager would lead interviews.

The commission recorded no objection and approved the request "by voice."