County staff seeks temporary custodial hires and volunteer support amid janitorial budget gap

Savannah, a public services staff member, asked the board to approve hiring temporary custodial employees for the first quarter of next year while the county determines a longer‑term custodial budget. Staff proposed using a temporary staffing agency (example: Express Employment) to hire about 2 full‑time and 1 half‑time equivalent workers (roughly 2.5 FTE) and to supplement work with vetted volunteer groups and community‑service programs.

"What we would like to do for the first quarter of next year is look at hiring temporary help ... probably I think we were looking at 2 and a half," Savannah told the board.

Board members asked about background‑check requirements for staff or volunteers working in the Hall of Justice and other secure areas. Savannah and staff said CJIS certification and fingerprinting approved by the sheriff are required for some Hall of Justice assignments and that volunteers performing community‑service work would need full supervision while in the building; common public areas likely do not require CJIS clearance.

Some commissioners expressed budgetary caution about authorizing additional spending immediately, while the finance presenter said a prior contract value still remained in the facilities budget and that temporary staffing could reduce costs relative to a full contract. Staff said they will return next week with hard numbers and a recommendation if the board supports the short‑term temporary hire approach.

The board signaled informal support during the meeting and asked staff to bring back cost estimates and a detailed plan for volunteer screening and supervision; no formal vote was recorded in the public meeting.