Council approves temporary $65 hourly rate to hire part-time civil engineer for highway work

The Johnson County Council on Oct. 13 approved a temporary part-time rate of $65 per hour for a civil engineer to support the highway department, after debate about hiring authority, funding sources and the need to move quickly to avoid losing an available candidate.

Luke Masten, highway supervisor, told the council the county had been approached by a retired civil engineer with relevant NDOT and private-sector experience who is interested in part-time local work focusing on structure design and structure sizing. "He was looking for something part time, and we are gonna request this evening a part time rate for him, which seems pretty high, of $65 an hour," Masten said. He described the candidate as able to assist with specialized design tasks and to mentor less-experienced staff.

Council members voiced concerns about creating a high open-ended part-time rate without a job description. "I would be concerned ... putting that high of a part time rate in an open ended part time line item," said Michelle Ann Graves (council member). Several council members suggested commissioners should create the position first and that a job description and an explicit funding plan be provided.

County Commissioner Brian Baird, participating by phone, said he had "no issue at all with the council approving the part time wage in this line item," but he asked that the commissioners meet with Masten about the position before any hiring. Commissioner Kevin Walls also expressed support and warned that waiting could cause the county to lose the candidate: "If this rate is not established soon, this individual will ... has other places he could go immediately."

Highway staff told the council they could fund the remainder of 2025 from existing budget savings in part-time, FICA and PERF lines and estimated the 2026 cost would depend on hours worked, roughly "40,000-ish" for a full year at anticipated hours. The council also discussed the potential that the part-time hire could reduce professional-services contracting costs because consultant billing rates are typically much higher in the private sector.

After discussion, Council Member Jonathan Myers moved to approve a $65 per hour part-time rate for a design professional (engineer) effective Oct. 13 through Dec. 31, 2025, with the understanding the position would be appointed by the commissioners in coordination with the highway director and that a job description be provided to commissioners before their next meeting. The motion was seconded by Ron Bates and passed on roll call.

What it means: The vote establishes an upper hourly rate for hiring a part-time engineer that the highway department can use immediately; it does not itself hire a specific person nor does it create a permanent position. Commissioners and highway staff will return with a job description and any recommended action for 2026 appropriations.