Wapello County supervisors authorize advertising for part-time Veterans Affairs position

WAPELLO COUNTY — The Wapello County Board of Supervisors on May 18 authorized staff to advertise a part-time position to support Veterans Affairs, with the board agreeing to start the role at 20 hours per week and no earlier than July 1, 2026.

Chair Darren Batterson opened the special meeting at 9:00 a.m. Vice Chair Carrie Teninty moved to convene the session and Supervisor Bryan Ziegler seconded; the motion carried with "all ayes." The board recorded attendees and proceeded to discuss staffing and funding for the Veterans Affairs office.

The minutes state the position would be 20 hours per week and that "the wage would be $22,000.00." Commissioners noted the county commission had proposed a 30-hour schedule that would make the role eligible for benefits; the board chose to start with 20 hours and reassess the hours later.

Danielle, a staff member, told the board that the salary and payroll could be charged to a miscellaneous account in the General Fund and paid from that fund, providing a local funding mechanism rather than an immediate change to established budget lines.

The board discussed a 90-day probationary period to evaluate the new hire's fit; the minutes say the candidate could then be trained for additional, specialized duties and that specific certification training was planned to start in October.

The Board of Supervisors authorized staff to begin advertising for the position and requested a job description be prepared for approval at a future board meeting. The minutes note the position could not begin until July 1, 2026.

The special meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m. after a motion by Vice Chair Teninty and a second from Supervisor Ziegler; the motion carried with "all ayes."