Recorder wins council approval to submit three job descriptions for reclassification review

The Johnson County Council on Dec. 8 approved the recorder’s request to submit three deputy‑recorder job descriptions to the state classification service (WIS) for review.

Theresa, the recorder, told the council she had redlined and updated three job descriptions as part of a long‑running reclassification effort and sought permission to submit them for WIS review. She said the change would move three positions from a Comont 1 classification to Comont 2 if WIS approved and estimated the annual salary cost increase at roughly $2,800 to be paid from the recorder’s perpetuation fund, not the general fund.

Several council members said they had reviewed the redline documents and questioned whether the changes would produce a different classification result. “I don’t see any certification changes or educational changes that would cause it to be reclassified,” Councilmember Pamela Burton said, noting that WIS is the professional body to adjudicate classifications. Others stressed the recorder’s prerogative as an elected official to manage staffing and recommended the council trust the elected official’s judgment while noting the cost.

After discussion about past attempts and the likelihood of success, Melinda Griesemer and other members said they would not vote against the submission and the council voted to authorize the recorder to submit the three positions to WIS for review.

What happens next: The recorder’s office will submit the three job descriptions to WIS; if WIS grants a reclassification that affects pay, the recorder’s perpetuation fund will be used for the small estimated increase and staff will report back to council with final classification results.