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Commissioners probe county vacancies, public-health staffing and facilities needs during budget session
Summary
Board members discussed about 20 budgeted vacant positions (mainly in public health), training constraints that limit hiring, potential delegation of permitting duties to Code Enforcement, Planning Board dysfunction, and prioritized HVAC and generator work for county facilities; staff asked to propose dates for a Board of Health meeting and prepare closed-session personnel discussion.
Commissioners used the budget work session to examine county staffing shortfalls, permitting and planning challenges, and deferred capital needs for county facilities.
Deputy Clerk Tammy Keezer told the board there are approximately 20 budgeted vacant positions in the current fiscal year with most vacancies in the health department. Health Director Kathy McGaha said Environmental Health staff are training new employees and cannot overload fully qualified staff with training responsibilities; she also said contracted positions tied to Animal Services should remain temporary pending an imminent RFP. County Manager Warren Cabe suggested scheduling a meeting with the Board of Health similar to the Board of Education briefing process and commissioners asked staff to identify dates for a closed session to discuss personnel matters.
Planning, Permitting, and Development Director Joe Allen and Commissioner Shearl discussed repeated Planning Board meeting cancellations; staff proposed options including having the Board of Commissioners serve as the Planning Board or reducing membership to seven. On facilities, the county requested an HVAC package, ensuring the courthouse elevator operates on generator power, and back-up power for annex administrative offices; commissioners also raised the Senior Services building as a safety and adequacy concern and suggested sale proceeds could help finance a replacement. County Manager Cabe said fund balance could be used to address some needs over the next few months.
Commissioner Shields asked about the Community Funding Pool; County Manager Cabe said the funds would roll over because the committee required 13 members but only nine applications had been received.
