Marathon County committee agrees to post deputy county administrator, public works role and delay final reclassification vote

The Marathon County Human Resources, Finance and Property Committee on June 11 authorized county administration to advertise a new deputy county administrator position focused on public works and capital projects, and agreed to postpone formal approval of the reclassification until the committee's next meeting.

Administrator Lance Leonard told the committee the reclassification would convert the existing facilities and capital management director position into a deputy county administrator role overseeing public works and capital projects, creating a second deputy administrator position intended to strengthen capital planning and project delivery. "I think it aligns better than any other option that I can come up with," Leonard said, describing similar structures in peer counties.

The item drew detailed questioning from supervisors about how duties would be split between the two deputy administrator roles and whether the board should see a finalized job description for the other deputy position before it is filled. Supervisor Marshall moved an amendment requesting that the county board be asked to weigh in and that recruitment be allowed to begin immediately; that amendment failed. A second amendment that the committee allow posting now but defer final approval until its next meeting passed on a voice vote. The committee then approved the reclassification as amended, allowing posting to begin while final approval is deferred.

Committee members emphasized transparency and continuity as reasons to delay final action. Supervisor Hart asked for an organizational chart showing delineation of responsibilities. Leonard said both job descriptions were included in the meeting packet and that he had emailed the full county board earlier with details.

The committee discussed fiscal and staffing implications; Leonard said the change does not require a budget transfer and that the reclassification follows the county's ordinance allowing the administrator discretion over workforce management. He also noted that reclassifying an existing position is the expected approach because there is no new money for additional positions.

The committee's vote allows administration to recruit immediately under the modified job description but makes final approval of the reclassification subject to action at the committee's next meeting.

The committee did not adopt any new budget allocations as part of the motion; Leonard said any salary or organization-wide changes would be addressed as needed in future budget work.

Looking ahead, Leonard said he will be flexible in assigning specific supervisory responsibilities based on the skill sets of the candidate ultimately hired and would provide clarification to the committee before the new deputy is filled.