Klamath County approves new half-time justice court clerk and reclassification to lead clerk

Klamath County commissioners voted to create a new half-time justice court clerk position and to reclassify the county’s current justice court clerk to lead justice court clerk, officials said during the meeting.

The board approved the request to create, post and hire a half-time justice court clerk. The county presented the role as classified at LH 13 with an anticipated fiscal impact for fiscal year 2025–26 of $27,555.95; the department indicated it expects to cover the cost from court service fees. Commissioners made and seconded the motion and the board approved it by voice vote.

Separately, the board approved a reclassification of the current justice court clerk position to lead justice court clerk (moving from LH 13 to LH 14). County staff reported the reclassification would increase annual costs by $1,867.13; the department indicated it also expects those costs to be paid from increased service fees. The reclassification motion was amended during discussion to be effective August 1, 2025 (staff said July payroll periods already occurred, so an August 1 effective date was practicable). The board approved the amended effective date and the reclassification by voice vote.

The meeting record shows the reclassification will take effect once the new part-time justice court position is filled; during discussion the justice indicated July 1 was desired but staff recommended Aug. 1 for payroll reasons and the justice accepted the amended date.

No additional details about the number of applicants, exact funding account codes, or the full vote tally were provided in the public record. Commissioners and staff indicated the positions’ ongoing costs are expected to be covered from justice-court service fees rather than the general fund.