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Klamath County reinstates 5% out-of-class stipend for public works director; board orders 90-day reevaluation
Summary
The Klamath County Board of Commissioners approved a 5% out-of-class stipend for the public works director to cover duties of the planning director, retroactive to Nov. 1, 2024, and directed staff to return within 90 days with a reclassification proposal.
The Klamath County Board of Commissioners approved reinstating a 5% out-of-class stipend for the county’s public works director to cover duties of the planning director, retroactive to Nov. 1, 2024, and set a 90-day timetable for a formal job‑description review and possible reclassification.
Commissioners voted to approve the stipend during the county’s legal and human resources meeting on Feb. 5. The stipend was described in meeting materials as compensation for the public works director “assuming the duties of the planning director.” The board also directed staff to bring back a revised job description and any reclassification recommendation within 90 days so the position’s grading can be reconsidered and the stipend removed if a permanent reclassification is adopted.
The board’s discussion reflected differing views on using stipends versus permanent reclassification. One commissioner said the county has tried to avoid long-term stipends because they are sometimes forgotten and preferred updating the position grade to reflect added responsibilities. Another commissioner, who said they had spoken with public works and planning staff, said the public works office continues to provide significant oversight and supported short-term compensation while a permanent fix is prepared.
Human resources asked for flexibility to prioritize the reclassification work; commissioners agreed that if HR could complete the review sooner than 90 days they should do so, but approved the 90‑day window to ensure a formal evaluation occurs. The board directed that the stipend be paid retroactively to Nov. 1, 2024, for the period the director has been performing the additional duties.
The motion passed on a voice vote with all commissioners present signaling aye. No roll-call tally with individual names was read into the record.
Clarifying details from the record: the stipend amount is 5% of the public works director’s pay, it is retroactive to 11/01/2024, and the board asked HR to prepare a revised job description and any reclassification within 90 days. The action was described as temporary pending a formal classification review.
The board moved on to other agenda items after the vote; staff will return with the reclassification materials as directed.
