Board approves hires, forms regional panel to hire interim emergency manager

Human Resources Director Michelle Shaw told the board on April 7 that the county will pursue an interim Emergency Manager and recommended forming a regional hiring panel composed of fire chiefs, emergency-management professionals and regional stakeholders. Sheriff Dave Daniel said he had coordinated with regional partners. Commissioners emphasized selecting an experienced candidate and discussed more comprehensive background checks for leadership roles; the board approved the proposed approach without objection.

The board also approved several personnel requisitions during the workshop. James Black of Community Development said an Assistant Planner position—previously authorized in a supplemental budget—is needed to address a workload backlog; Jesse Watkins requested refilling a Group Life Counselor I/II vacancy to maintain required staff-to-youth ratios in detention and residential settings; District Attorney Joshua Eastman requested refilling a Deputy District Attorney I to help maintain office staffing levels; and Michelle Shaw and Public Health Administrator Janet Fredrickson requested refilling a Solid Waste Specialist role, clarifying that solid waste is a distinct Public Health program and not part of Code Enforcement. Each of these requisitions was approved without objection. A request to refill an Animal Shelter Volunteer Coordinator/Department Specialist was tabled for future consideration.

Staff described timeline expectations to fill critical roles as soon as practical given the approaching fire season and operational needs. Several commissioners signaled interest in applying law-enforcement-style background checks to management-level hires.