Commission tables contract renewal for remote justice court clerk amid contractor-vs.-employee questions

The Daggett County Commission discussed the independent contractor agreement for remote clerk services for the justice court and voted to table approval for one week to allow legal and payroll review of whether the worker should be classified as a contractor or an employee.

The justice court judge (identified in the meeting as the judge) summarized workload increases in 2024 and into 2025, saying the court handled just under 700 cases in 2024 and that increased enforcement activity and administrative requirements from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) were straining existing staffing. The judge said Jill, a remote contracted clerk, is currently engaged for 10 hours per week under a contract that the judge described as about $15,000 per year and noted Jill had previously supported other remote courts. The judge also said she plans to request funding later in the year to hire an additional full-time clerk.

Commissioner Carrie raised concerns about whether Jill should be classified as a contract worker or a county employee and asked that payroll/legal staff examine the classification. Kent (staff) said he would review the relevant statutes and federal guidance; commissioners discussed whether the relevant tests would be state statute or federal (IRS) guidance. Several commissioners said they supported doing due diligence before signing the renewal so the county avoids potential payroll or classification pitfalls.

At the end of the discussion, the commission agreed to table the contract renewal until the next meeting and asked Kent to provide guidance on contractor-versus-employee classification and to contact other courts that have used Jill to confirm how she is classified in those jurisdictions.

Action: Motion to approve the contract was made during the discussion, but commissioners voted to table the item pending legal and payroll review.