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Ingham County board approves new HR classification, amid debate over $154,000–$179,000 salary range
Summary
The Ingham County Board of Commissioners voted March 10 to authorize a new classification/compensation and audit specialist position after an extended debate over budget impact and a cited salary range of $154,000–$179,000; supporters said the role is budgeted and needed to address payroll and HR system failures.
The Ingham County Board of Commissioners on March 10 authorized a new classification, compensation and audit specialist position intended to strengthen the county's human resources and payroll oversight.
Supporters said the role is already budgeted and needed to address recurring payroll errors and administrative shortfalls. "When these deficiencies are brought to our attention ... we do everything within our ability and our power to talk to try to get to the bottom of those concerns and address them accordingly," a commissioner backing the measure said. Another backer added the position was included in the adopted budget and gives the new HR director tools to fix systemic problems.
Opponents stressed the cost and timing. "This is a brand new position ... a pay range of a 154,000 to a 179,000 — just because we have that extra funding doesn't mean we have to provide another position," Commissioner Schafer said, urging caution given the county's projected shortfalls and a reserve balance approaching the minimum allowed under county policy.
Several commissioners framed the vote as a choice between short-term savings and maintaining the county's ability to provide core services. "We have to keep a machine running. We have to meet payroll," one commissioner said, urging the board not to risk ongoing operations.
After debate, the full board voted to approve the resolution authorizing the position. The resolution passed in the meeting; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally in the segment that records the final passage of this specific motion.
The county controller and HR director — referenced repeatedly during the discussion — had proposed the position to improve payroll accuracy and benefits administration, according to commissioners who spoke in favor. The record at the meeting included a cited salary band ($154,000–$179,000) and repeated references that the position was budgeted for the current fiscal year.
Next steps noted by commissioners included implementing the new classification through the controller's office and allowing the HR leadership team to proceed with recruitment and job classification procedures.
