Board debates creating Deputy Treasurer position as staff warns of imminent vacancy

The Fauquier County Treasurer's Office requested authorization to establish a full-time permanent Deputy Treasurer I (grade 24) to address increased workload, a countywide reassessment cycle and conversion to new financial software.

Treasurer's representatives (Speakers 14 and 15) said FY2026 costs for an assumed March 1 start would be $35,601 (salary, benefits, technology) with an ongoing FY2027 cost of $71,350 to be addressed in the regular budget. Staff said funding for the initial period would come from general fund vacancy savings and argued that the position is needed now because a current employee will begin extended leave on Feb. 18 and training takes weeks.

Multiple supervisors questioned whether the hire should be handled through the budget process (effective July 1) or approved now to allow quicker onboarding. Some supervisors suggested interim alternatives such as allocating one-time funds, using vacancy savings, or creating a temporary one-year position to be reviewed later. The treasurer's office said the need has been raised in prior budgets for three years and that operational changes (new software and a reorganized public-facing layout) make the position necessary now.

Supervisor (Speaker 9) asked for the item to be removed from consent and placed on the regular agenda for discussion; the board agreed to move it to the evening meeting for a formal decision.

No final hiring vote was recorded during the morning session; the item was pulled from consent for the evening regular agenda.