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Cole County approves reclassification and pay increase for health department breastfeeding counselor role, WIC to cover cost
Summary
The commission approved changing a vacant public-health position to 'Senior Breastfeeding Counselor and Professional Assistant' with a pay increase to $21.50 per hour (approximately $44,720 annually). The WIC contract will cover the additional salary and benefits, resulting in no county cost.
Cole County commissioners approved a reclassification and salary increase for a vacant position in the health department, changing the job title to "Senior Breastfeeding Counselor and Professional Assistant" and increasing pay to $21.50 per hour, which corresponds to approximately $44,720 annually based on a 2,080-hour work year. County staff said the change reassigns duties, including leading the breastfeeding coalition and community events, and that the increase will be paid fully by the WIC contract, resulting in no county cost.
County staff said the vacancy opened Dec. 3 and the revised recruitment targets a candidate with at least seven years’ WIC experience; staff reported a potential candidate who previously worked for the department. The record shows the hourly rate under the prior classification (with no vacancy COLA applied) had been $18.57 per hour and would have been $19.22 per hour with the COLA applied. The motion to change the job title and salary was moved by the presiding commissioner and seconded by Commissioner Harry; the motion passed on an aye voice vote.
Commissioners noted the department would also refill a separate dietician position following a recent resignation, and they discussed covering the salary increase via the WIC contract so the county's general fund would not be affected. Commissioners asked procedural questions about documentation needed for the change; staff indicated the WIC contract would cover the increase in salary and benefits entirely and that the county would therefore incur no additional cost.
Why it matters: changing a vacant position’s duties and pay can affect recruitment, service delivery and budget tracking. The action is notable here because the county explicitly shifted the extra cost to the WIC contract, preserving county funds while aiming to strengthen breastfeeding support and related community outreach.
What the record shows: the vacancy was created Dec. 3, staff rewrote the job description to emphasize breastfeeding counseling and coalition leadership, the new hourly rate of $21.50 (approx. $44,720/year) was approved, and the WIC contract was cited as covering the increased salary and benefits.
