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Board debates $2,000 safety coordinator stipend and shift of duties to county safety committee
Summary
Boardors considered temporarily funding a $2,000 safety coordinator position (Melissa Johnson) through July while transitioning safety records and duties to a countywide safety committee; members disagreed on who should house records and how the funding should be allocated and asked for budget follow-up.
Board members on Dec. 2 debated whether to authorize a $2,000 stipend for a safety coordinator (Melissa Johnson) for work through July while the county transitions safety responsibilities to a broader county safety committee administratively overseen by the auditor.
One presenter noted Melissa Johnson has been tracking safety duties and asked the board to allow the $2,000 salary to compensate that work through the transition. “I was wondering if you guys would entertain the idea of allowing us to use the $2,000 salary for Melissa,” a presenter said. Several board members pushed back, saying the auditor’s office has traditionally been custodian of safety records and that moving duties could create extra work for staff.
Discussion covered funding sources (the presenter said the money could come from General Services fund 51), whether EMS and other departments would be required to follow the updated approach, and how the county would maintain safety data sheets and training records. Multiple members said committee members, not a single employee, should become familiar with the new safety website and records.
No formal transfer of duties or permanent reallocation of salary was adopted. Board members asked staff to return with budget detail and clarifications on which department would carry the records and ongoing responsibilities before making a final decision.
