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Custer County adopts hiring freeze resolution to curb staffing growth
Summary
The board adopted resolution 25-49 to freeze county hiring countywide, with an exceptions process allowing department heads or elected officials to request waivers from the board for 'good cause shown.' Commissioners debated budgeting authority and implementation oversight before voting to adopt the policy.
The Custer County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 25-49 on Nov. 26, instituting a countywide hiring freeze aimed at slowing staff growth and containing long-term wage and benefit costs.
The sponsoring commissioner said the freeze responds to recent staffing increases that exceed the assumptions used in prior budgets and noted that salary and benefit growth compounds over time. "We are tasked with the oversight. Budgets are tight, and we want to keep our taxes low," the commissioner said when presenting the measure.
The resolution includes an exceptions process: department heads or elected officials may request an exemption from the board for "good cause shown" in extraordinary circumstances. Commissioners debated how the policy interacts with the normal budgeting process, with questions about whether planned, budgeted positions would still require board approval during the fiscal year. Chair Bill Candid said the policy codifies a process the board expects departments to follow and stressed the need to ensure budgets remain sustainable.
After discussion, the board took a voice vote and approved Resolution 25-49. The board asked staff to refine language to ensure clarity on implementation and exceptions.
