Sheridan County approves 15‑hour deputy clerk to handle rising title workload

Sheridan County commissioners voted to authorize a part‑time deputy clerk working 15 hours per week after the county clerk detailed a surge in title and land‑division work that she said threatens the office’s ability to meet statutory turnaround requirements. The clerk told the board the office has seen a 7%–8% increase in documents processed year‑to‑date and said staff routinely handle between 50 and 100 vehicle titles on busy days (the office averaged about 65 daily last year). She said a recent deputy moved to the assessor’s office and the chief deputy’s retirement has been moved up from December to October, creating an immediate staffing gap.

The clerk said the office must meet a 48‑hour statutory deadline for perfecting titles in many lease‑purchase transactions and that failing to do so would force the office into overtime. She proposed hiring a deputy clerk I at 15 hours per week with no full benefits, estimating the additional cost at roughly $22,000 (which she said could be absorbed within her already‑approved budget). "I have statutory obligations to fill," she said, urging the board to act to avoid staff burnout and missed deadlines.

Commissioners debated whether the position constituted a new hire amid a hiring freeze and whether approving the request would set a precedent for other departments. Supporters noted the limited hours and lack of benefits, and that the request was within the clerk’s approved budget; opponents argued the board should consider the matter during the next budget cycle. A motion to approve the part‑time position was made, seconded and carried; commissioners recorded the motion as passed.

The board did not specify a length beyond the next budget review; the clerk said the position would remain until the next budget session and could be reevaluated then.