Emergency management asks to convert part‑time worker to full time, cites new outreach mandates and software needs

Steve, an emergency management official, asked the Kaufman County commissioners to make a current part‑time employee (Natalie) full time and to keep the part‑time budget to retain other casual help. He said the office has relied on Natalie during recent disasters and FEMA work and that making her full time would help manage maps, floor plans and other emergency planning needs.

Steve said the office has implemented emergency management software during the previous year that has proved valuable and requested continued funding for software. He described an operational requirement under a recently implemented mandate for the county to contact medically fragile residents during prolonged power outages: the county must notify persons on the list via the emergency notification system and, if they do not respond, do follow‑up phone calls and potentially in‑person checks. Steve said the county has about 96 people on that medically fragile list and that county staff would need to develop creative approaches and coordinate with law enforcement, fire departments and other responders to meet the contact requirement within a 24‑hour window.

Steve said the department’s overall budget is slightly lower than last year after adjustments, but noted inflation and the implementation of some previously passed mandates are driving incremental increases to several line items. He also described a previously approved growth vehicle and noted fleet management is being reviewed with purchasing and the auditor to determine whether leasing or buying is more cost effective.

Commissioners questioned operational feasibility for in‑person checks and suggested coordination with sheriff, constables, fire departments and commissioners for contingencies. No formal action was taken during the session; commissioners and staff said they would continue to review the request as part of the budget process.