Board re‑creates fairgrounds manager post and shifts deputy role to finance director

The Board of County Commissioners authorized two staffing actions intended to stabilize county operations and increase capacity for facilities and finance.

First, after two work sessions, commissioners voted to recreate a salaried fairgrounds manager position to run operations at the county fairgrounds and event center, rebuild volunteer and advisory capacity and increase utilization. County manager staff said the role would be supported by volunteers and existing staff; the board directed county staff to finalize the job description (including event‑hours flexibility, ICS/NIMS emergency training and liquor‑license management) and begin recruitment with the goal of filling the role by mid‑April if possible.

Second, commissioners approved converting the vacant deputy county manager position into a finance director role responsible for budgeting, grant management and financial oversight. The board requested stronger minimum qualifications for the finance director applicant pool: preference or requirement for finance credentials (CPA or Certified Public Finance Officer or the ability to obtain such credentials within a defined period), a criminal background check, and explicit emergency‑operations duties. The commissioners agreed the finance director would serve as the county manager’s deputy and could act as interim county manager when required.

County staff said the finance director posting would stay open for several weeks to attract qualified applicants; the board expects a May start date if recruitment proceeds on schedule. A commissioner volunteered to serve on the finance director interview panel with county manager staff and the personnel team.