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County managers request added senior accountant to relieve finance workload; commissioners give staff direction
Summary
San Miguel County staff asked commissioners May 28 to add an exempt senior-accountant position to the finance department to create succession capacity, reduce ongoing overtime and manage grant reporting; commissioners directed staff to proceed and to include the position in a supplemental budget.
San Miguel County managers told the Board of County Commissioners May 28 they need an additional exempt senior-accountant position in the finance office to reduce chronic overtime, create succession capacity and maintain grant and audit compliance.
Why it matters: Finance staff said the office now manages more than 30 grants and roughly $10 million in annual inflows; commissioners and staff said the workload and new audit standards increase the risk of administrative errors, reporting delays or gaps in internal control.
Request details: County management proposed a grade-32 exempt senior-accountant position, five days in the office, with an hourly salary range equivalent to $31.79'$34.23 per hour (steps 2''to 5) and a full-year worst-case benefits cost presented to the board. For the remainder of the fiscal year, estimated costs including benefits were presented at roughly $50,000, and an annualized full-year cost was described as approximately $100,000 (position plus benefits).
What commissioners decided: Commissioners directed staff to proceed with recruitment for the position and to include the costs in a supplemental budget amendment later in the year. Several commissioners and department managers said the investment was justified by reduced burnout risk, improved succession continuity and stronger grant-management capacity.
Context and risk: Finance staff described sustained six-day work weeks for senior finance employees and noted the county has a recent history of increasing grant activity and federal/state audit scrutiny. Staff and two commissioners said the proposed structure balances cost control with the need for exempt staff who can work flexible hours during audit or grant-due-date peaks.
Next steps: County staff will post the position internally and externally, recruit candidates, and return with supplemental budget requests to formally appropriate funds.
