Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Clerk Administration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Budget committee approves confidential secretary for county clerk; member voices concern over timing
Summary
The committee approved a request to add a confidential secretary position in the County Clerk's office (grade 18). Staff said current-year vacancy savings cover the one-time cost; ongoing annual difference is roughly $58,002.89 and the committee approved the request after discussion and one recorded vote against.
The Davis County Budget Committee on June 30 approved a request from the County Clerk’s Office to create a confidential secretary position (grade 18) for the clerk’s front office, with the office proposing to cover current-year costs from vacancy/attrition savings and absorb ongoing costs into next year’s budget.
County staff said the County Clerk’s Office has functioned without a confidential secretary for several years; the office requested the position to provide administrative capacity during busy periods (passports, parental licenses and election-related tasks) and to centralize certain duties such as annexation and claims processing. Staff explained elected officials are entitled to a confidential secretary under the County Personnel Management Act (cited in the meeting as 17-33-8).
Budget staff told the committee that no current-year budget amendment would be required because attrition and existing vacancy savings in the clerk’s area would cover the transition costs. The presenter identified a one-time net additional need for the remainder of 2025 of about $26,001.44 and stated an ongoing annual difference after conversions would be approximately $58,002.89 (figures as presented to the committee). Committee members asked questions about timing, the impact on fees and whether the clerk’s office had previously raised the need to the liaison.
One committee member said they were not in favor of adding staff now given current fiscal constraints and concerns about taxes; another member emphasized election-related workload (poll-worker transitions to employees) as part of the reason the clerk’s office needs additional administrative capacity.
After discussion a motion to approve the confidential secretary request was moved and seconded and the committee approved the request by voice vote; the transcript records at least one committee member opposed to the action (no roll-call recorded in the transcript). Staff said the clerk’s office will pursue modest fee adjustments and other revenue options to help offset the ongoing cost in the next budget year.
