Gilliam County staff propose moving some full‑time hourly positions to even monthly pay; court generally supportive

Finance Director Brooklyn Griffith presented an early proposal on Jan. 20 to move a group of full‑time hourly county positions to a structured monthly pay model that evens out monthly paychecks by converting annual hours to a fixed monthly hour figure (173.33 hours per month for a 2,080‑hour FTE).

Griffith said the change was prompted by employee requests to stabilize monthly household budgets. Under the proposed model the positions would remain hourly for payroll and overtime accounting but receive a consistent monthly pay amount; supervisors would continue to verify overtime and exception hours through the county’s PayPro time system. “They would be receiving that consistent hundred and 73.33 hours each month,” Griffith said.

Griffith said about 19 full‑time FTE employees would be affected and that the county would prepare a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the union for represented employees and personnel action forms for non‑represented employees. She noted the change requires updated job descriptions and consultation with the union and county labor counsel; she requested the court’s general support to proceed.

Commissioners expressed support for the concept as a payroll simplification and a benefit to employees; they asked staff to draft the necessary MOAs and job descriptions and return for formal approval when the agreements and legal review are complete. No formal court action was taken at the Jan. 20 meeting; staff will prepare documentation and follow the collective‑bargaining process where required.