Wilson County committee approves budget amendment to fund part‑time IT hire to cut overtime

Wilson County’s Public Buildings Committee voted to authorize funding for a part‑time information‑technology position during a regularly scheduled meeting.

The committee approved a budget amendment described as $16,792 to support the hire, and staff presented a cost estimate for a contracted part‑time worker at $29.50 an hour. Speaker 2 told the committee that, based on 29.5 weeks remaining in the year, "At $29.50... the best that, we could have there would be $16,007.92." Staff said the money would be moved from the department’s overtime line where funds had been transferred in November.

Committee members said the IT department had been operating with two staff covering the workload of three positions, driving overtime and comp time. Speaker 2 laid out hourly comparisons for current staffing and overtime rates, saying overtime rates could be as high as "$69 an hour" for some work and that a part‑time contracted option at $29.50 would be cheaper.

The discussion also turned to employee classification under federal law. Speaker 5 questioned whether some IT employees might be salary‑exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act; Speaker 3 said, "There are specific very specific guidelines in the Fair Labor Standards Act, obviously," and agreed to review the classifications and provide the committee with supporting information.

Speaker 2 moved to approve the budget change and hire; Speaker 1 seconded. The motion passed by voice vote, with the chair stating, "Ayes have it." Committee members said the funds approved would cover the position through the remainder of the year and that further budget decisions would follow when full‑time staffing needs are reassessed.

Next steps include staff follow‑up on FLSA classification and any additional budget adjustments tied to hiring a full‑time director in the future.