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Meigs County to reclassify community-center cleaners as employees; budget line added for hourly pay
Summary
Commissioners approved reclassifying three community-center cleaning vendors from independent contractors to county employees after staff warned county-provided supplies and equipment create an IRS classification issue; the proposal includes raising pay to about $75 per week and adding a janitorial salary line.
Meigs County commissioners approved a change to community-center cleaning arrangements after staff told them federal payroll and IRS classification rules suggest the workers should be W-2 employees rather than 1099 contractors because they use county-supplied equipment and supplies.
A presenter described three women who have been paid $50 per cleaning event as vendors; staff said that because the county supplies cleaning materials and equipment, the IRS is likely to consider them employees. The presenter said reclassifying the workers would move their pay into a county payroll line and provided an illustrative budget impact: $75 per week per cleaner would amount to about $3,900 annually in the janitorial salary line.
Commissioners discussed alternatives, including continuing inmate cleaning programs for interior/exterior work and protecting the income of existing cleaners where feasible. The presenter said the agreements in use are informal (breakable by either side) and described the county's approach to avoid displacing people who rely on the work. Commissioners asked whether the county could keep cleaners as vendors; staff advised that with county-supplied materials, the safer legal position is to move to employee status.
A motion to approve the recommended classification and associated budget adjustments was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff and relevant departments (finance, parks, payroll) were assigned follow-up tasks to implement payroll changes, update employer records, and adjust budget lines.
Next steps: Finance and payroll staff will update payroll records if employees accept the change and will return any formal paperwork or confirm revisions as needed.
