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Pulaski County approves advertised $50,000 additional appropriation for part‑time/EMS staffing
Summary
The council approved an advertised additional appropriation of $50,000 intended to cover part‑time/EMS staffing costs; members discussed whether the amount covered past payroll obligations or future contingencies and raised Fair Labor Standards Act concerns about consistently assigning full‑time hours to part‑time employees.
Pulaski County commissioners and council members approved an advertised additional appropriation listed at $50,000 to cover part‑time and EMS staffing needs. The motion was made, seconded and carried after brief discussion about whether the appropriation would cover past payroll already incurred or future needs.
County staff said the county had collected about $600,013.35 in revenue as of Sept. 30, but that money does not immediately move into the general fund and an additional appropriation request was necessary. Several members and staff said it is not good practice to have part‑time employees working regular full‑time hours because that practice risks violating the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and could create liability, including retroactive classification as full‑time employees requiring benefits.
One member said the $50,000 figure was advertised as a conservative upper bound and might be less in practice; staff said they did not expect the need to exceed that amount unless another catastrophic event occurred, and that the county had been fully staffed for over a month in most areas. A motion to approve the advertised additional appropriation was made by AJ, seconded by Brad, and approved by voice/raise of hands. One member asked whether the appropriation was intended to reimburse wages already paid or to cover anticipated costs; that question was discussed but the motion carried without roll‑call tally.
