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Council pauses hiring‑freeze motion, agrees to personnel review for health director pay
Summary
A motion to exempt the health department director from a proposed hiring freeze was introduced, discussed at length with job‑description and WIS evaluation concerns, and withdrawn so the personnel committee can review the director’s responsibilities before any pay decision.
During the 2027 budget review a council member proposed a freeze on all new positions; debate quickly narrowed to whether the health department director’s post (Scott Wagner) should be eligible for raises if the county approves cost‑of‑living adjustments.
One council member moved to reverse the freeze for the health director and make him eligible for raises; the motion prompted discussion about outdated job descriptions and the need for an independent WIS (work‑importance study) evaluation to compare responsibilities across counties. Personnel committee members asked for more time: "I would just respectfully request that before you reverse the decision that you take a little bit more time and possibly even kick it back to the personnel committee so that we can have a little bit more discussion about this," one personnel representative said.
After discussion the mover withdrew the motion and the council directed staff to update job descriptions and provide WIS evaluation materials to the personnel committee so members can make an informed recommendation. Scott Wagner and the board of health were identified as the appropriate participants to clarify daily duties and reporting relationships prior to any pay decision.
Next steps include updating the director’s job description and returning the matter to the personnel committee for review and recommendation to the full council.
