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Osage County board approves hiring of county controller, tentatively offers $140,000 salary
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Summary
After interviewing a finalist in executive session, commissioners authorized hiring Anthony Parrish as county controller effective May 12, 2026, and approved offering a contract with a $140,000 base salary and specified severance and COLA terms contingent on legal review.
The Osage County Board of Commissioners voted to hire Anthony Parrish as county controller and authorized the chair to execute an employment agreement substantially consistent with a draft discussed in open session.
Legal counsel reviewed a draft contract that cited KSA 19-6803 and described duties including oversight of payroll, accounts payable, onboarding and benefits, and on-site work at the courthouse (the draft stated the position is not remote except under limited, board-approved circumstances). The draft proposed an initial base salary of $140,000, a 4% cost-of-living adjustment during the initial term (through Jan. 1, 2029), and six months' severance if terminated without cause during the initial term. Other terms include renewal provisions, cure periods for non-serious breaches, and standard indemnification and confidentiality clauses.
Why it matters: The controller role centralizes financial management of county operations, including accounts payable and payroll. Commissioners and legal counsel said hiring a controller is an urgent priority to restore routine county payment-processing and internal controls.
What the board decided: The board moved to hire Parrish effective May 12, 2026, and authorized the chair to offer and sign an employment agreement that substantially conforms to the draft after legal review. Commissioners said final execution is contingent on completing legal review and contract formalities.
Next steps include legal review of the draft, delivery of the draft to the candidate, and credentialing to enable the controller to assume access and duties once on board.
