Commission asks HR to expedite salary study for elections director; will consider pay change before recruitment

Commissioners directed Human Resources to prioritize a compensation (salary) study for the elections director position to support recruitment. Staff explained the county typically budgets mid‑grade minus one for vacant positions; commissioners said they want HR (Ralph) to evaluate the elections director job description now so the county can recruit on an appropriate salary scale and, if justified, move funds from the restricted salary‑study pool to cover any required increase.

Several commissioners said they preferred using the salary‑study / restricted funds rather than creating a new ongoing supplemental in the clerk's budget. Commissioners asked HR to begin the job audit immediately and to report back so recruitment can begin as soon as possible; they flagged the period after canvass as a priority time for HR to complete the review and timeline. On lower‑priority election upgrade requests (ballot center supervisor, etc.), commissioners said those could be handled through the same salary‑study process rather than separate new appropriations. Staff will coordinate with HR to schedule the analysis and report to the commission.