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Riley County museum hours and as-needed positions trimmed; commissioners approve reduced as-needed budget
Summary
After a request to add more as-needed hours, commissioners agreed to a reduced increase in the museum's as-needed hours (325 hours at reduced rate) to balance service needs and budget constraints.
Riley County Historical Museum Director Catherine Hensler asked the commission to approve additional as-needed staffing hours to support operations and outreach. Hensler said weekend and summer programming, temporary exhibits and volunteer coordination require the museum to be staffed beyond regular business hours.
Commissioners discussed options including shifting staff schedules and increasing as-needed hours. Several commissioners signaled they preferred not to add new continuous full-time personnel now but were sympathetic to the museum’s request. The board and museum staff negotiated a compromise: rather than the full requested increase, commissioners approved a smaller as-needed package intended to preserve weekend and program coverage while limiting the county’s recurring personnel commitment.
Motion and vote: A commissioner moved and a second supported a motion described in the minutes as approving the museum as-needed position at a reduced level; the transcript records the motion as "Motion to approve the excuse me. As needed. System position added $325." Another commissioner seconded and the motion passed (voice vote recorded as "All in favor Aye"). The budget officer said she would adjust the worksheet to reflect 325 hours for the museum as-needed allocation and produce updated departmental budget copies.
Why it matters: The museum is a public-facing county service and often relies on part-time/as-needed hours to staff special events. Commissioners favored a limited increase now rather than authorizing ongoing full-time personnel, and staff will monitor program needs going forward.
Ending: The finance office will update the worksheet to reflect the approved as-needed hours and send final budgets to the museum and other departments.
