Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Staffing Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adopts revised staffing plan after debate over social‑services hours
Summary
After a work‑session review and public discussion, the council adopted a revised staffing plan that includes restoring a library position and other changes; one council member opposed increasing social‑services hours to full time.
The West Yellowstone Town Council voted to adopt a revised staffing plan Tuesday after extended discussion during the work session and the regular meeting.
Staff presented memos supporting several personnel adjustments: restoring a previously reduced library position to full time (estimated FY26 wage/benefit increase of about $15,500), increasing the social‑service associate from three‑quarters to full time (estimated about $14,000 in FY26), and restructuring public‑works positions by converting a deputy water/wastewater supervisor into a licensed equipment operator (yielding an estimated net FY26 decrease of roughly $27,070.68 for that change). Staff said the net budget impact across the proposed staffing changes is close to neutral after offsets.
Council members questioned whether volunteer help and internal cross‑coverage could meet seasonal spikes in social‑services demand, and whether money earmarked for increased hours might be better used elsewhere. Diana Hanson, the town’s director of social services, described the office’s workload, confidentiality requirements for client interviews and the time needed to process benefit renewals and emergency assistance; she said two staff are often needed during peak and winter months to maintain service levels and tracking for grant reporting.
One council member voiced opposition to increasing the social‑services associate to full time but supported other elements of the package. The council adopted the staffing plan by voice vote; the record shows at least one opposing vote on the staffing adoption.
