Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel Transitions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Josephine County approves temporary rehiring and advances hiring plans as Finance Director prepares to retire
Summary
The Board approved rehiring a retiring PERS employee part time to finish the White Horse renovation and discussed several executive-session personnel actions, including selecting an interim emergency management director and planning a Finance Director recruitment; former Finance Director Arthur O'Hare offered part-time assistance.
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners approved a temporary return-to-work arrangement for a retiring PERS employee to support completion of the White Horse renovation project.
Tamra Martin, Recreation Director, told the Board the employee is the department's only CDL-qualified operator and proposed a part-time schedule of about 24 hours per week through the grant deadline at the end of August. Commissioners discussed state rules that allow retired PERS employees to return under limited circumstances and agreed the temporary, specialized assignment was appropriate. Commissioner Colene Martin moved to approve bringing back the temporary project position; Commissioner Gary Richardson seconded. On roll call the motion carried 3-0.
In executive session the Board discussed multiple personnel matters related to ongoing operations and upcoming vacancies. Finance Director Ruth Nelson has announced her retirement effective May 19, 2026, prompting discussion of updating the Finance Director job description and arranging continuity during the budget adoption timeline that ends June 30, 2026. The Board directed staff to continue recruitment planning and to include a panel interview structure and expanded background checks as requested by Commissioner Martin and Commissioner Richardson.
Michelle Shaw advised that a candidate had been selected for an Interim Emergency Management Director position; discussion included onboarding logistics and a proposed travel allocation of approximately $7,500 to support the transition. Commissioners directed staff to proceed with hiring steps and related onboarding arrangements.
Commissioner Martin raised the possibility of contracting with former Finance Director Arthur O'Hare to provide part-time support during the transition. Arthur O'Hare told the Board he had served 16 years with the County, including 10 years as Controller and six years as Finance Director, and said he would be willing to assist on a part-time basis but was not interested in returning full time. No formal action was taken; staff were directed to work with Legal Counsel on any contract development.
Next steps: staff will move forward with recruitment steps for the permanent Finance Director, proceed with onboarding for the interim emergency management hire, and finalize the temporary return-to-work arrangements for the Parks position once procedural requirements are met.
