Board approves step placement for new economic development manager after union raises concerns

The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors approved placing the newly hired economic development services manager at salary step 3, as requested by County Administration and recommended by the director of Human Resources and Risk Management.

Supervisor Howard urged the hire as a priority to fill a long-standing gap in the county's economic development capacity, saying the candidate's experience warranted the step placement: "This person has 20 years of experience, that's why they're going to the 3." The board moved and seconded the item and later recorded unanimous yes votes.

A union representative, Amy Laffner of SEIU, spoke during public comment opposing the step placement on budgetary grounds: "We're hiring at step 3 again when we've already said that the salaries that schedule that we've put in place is sufficient to keep and retain employees." Laffner argued the action increases the salary shortfall the union has flagged.

The board approved the placement; the transcript records the board's direction as approval and does not show amendments or a salary dollar figure in the discussion.