Roads department leadership briefed commissioners on the department's 2025 budget and staffing pressures during the Oct. 28 hearing, reporting multiple vacancies and continued turnover tied to compensation and benefits.

Department leaders said the department is operating with several vacancies that were frozen in the prior budget year and that some employees left for higher pay elsewhere. One official noted the county's prior pension structure was a retention factor that no longer exists and that contemporary hires are more likely to move for better wages.

Commissioners and roads leadership discussed short-term steps such as reallocating existing vacancy dollars to increase pay for incumbent employees, contracting out some mowing or trash pickup tasks, and reviewing whether eliminating or consolidating positions could allow higher pay for the remaining staff. A rough cost example discussed during the meeting suggested converting two part-time positions to free and reallocate salaries could yield a roughly $40,000 pool for pay increases, while contracting trash pickup was estimated at tens of thousands annually depending on frequency.

Commissioners asked staff to return with options and cost comparisons between raising wages to retain staff versus relying on outsourced contractors to maintain service levels.