Madison County supervisors postponed consideration of a resolution to hire a part-time clerk for the auditor’s office after board members said the hiring item did not belong on a budget work session agenda and residents urged clearer, more transparent hiring practices.

An unnamed board member opened the special work session and repeatedly said the meeting should focus on budget preparation led by the auditor and department heads, not on new hires. The board member moved to table the resolution and the related budget work session “until we can clarify legal and process questions,” and another board member seconded. The board then called for public comment and the chair announced the motion had been made and seconded; the board signaled approval and proceeded to public remarks.

Members of the public used the comment period to press the board on hiring procedures. Jared McDonald urged that county hiring include disclosure of any staff relationships with candidates, recusal of staff with personal connections to applicants, documented evaluation criteria, and retention of hiring rationale for public record. “All hiring managers must disclose any personal or professional relationship with job candidates at the start of the hiring process,” McDonald said, urging regular reviews to verify compliance.

Vicki Brenner, identifying herself as a Winterset resident, thanked supervisors for fiscal caution but asked for transparency about whether the auditor had evaluated staffing needs before proposing additional support. Brenner said the new auditor had been in office about seven days and suggested rushing to hire could create the perception of impropriety. She also questioned the proposed pay rate, saying the part-time clerk was listed at $29 per hour while, she said, part-time EMTs make about $14 per hour.

Regina (Gina) Robinson told supervisors she searched the Madison County website and found no posting for the part-time clerk position. Robinson contrasted that with a posting she found for a secondary road department position (which she said was posted Dec. 18, 2024, and listed at $28.50 per hour) and said she would submit an application for the clerk role if it were posted. Robinson asked the board to perform due diligence and maintain the county budget when adding positions.

The board did not vote on the hiring resolution; instead, it tabled the item pending clarification of legal and procedural questions. After public comment concluded, the board moved to adjourn and the meeting ended with a voice vote in favor.

Next steps: the resolution remained tabled so supervisors and counsel can clarify posting, job description, and procedural requirements before any hiring or pay decisions proceed.