Commission approves refilling IT opening with higher-grade network/security role to avoid new hire request

Corey Meyer, IT/GIS director, asked the commission to allow his department to refill a recently vacated position and to retitle and upgrade the vacancy to a higher-grade network/security role. Meyer said the change will meet the department’s need for increased security and technical skills while eliminating a separate new-position request planned for the 2026 budget.

Nut graf: Meyer said refilling the vacancy at a higher grade will provide additional technical capacity without increasing overall headcount. Elizabeth (department staff) explained the incumbent's prior pay and the county’s approach to setting a new hire’s starting salary; Meyer and HR staff said they expect typical new hires to have one to three years of experience and that pay estimates would be presented with the final hire paperwork.

Meyer told commissioners he is withdrawing the earlier 2026 new-position request and asked for approval to proceed with a reclass and refill. "This opening and then, refilling it with a higher technical skill, someone within the office who can help us out in some higher level areas, gives us that ability to maintain the number of staff we have, but increase our service level and what we can do for the county," he said. The commission approved the request during the meeting and Meyer said staff will return a finalized job title and authorization on the business meeting slate.

Ending: Meyer said the change will reduce projected 2026 personnel costs compared with the earlier new-position request and that the department will bring a formal personnel action (gold sheet) at a business meeting after title and pay are finalized.