Pay range, reimbursement questioned as commissioners prepare to interview county manager finalists

Commissioners discussed whether the county should offer travel reimbursement to candidates who come for in‑person interviews and noted the importance of transparency about salary expectations.

"We never even gave them a range or anything," the chair said, expressing concern that some finalists might decline if the posted pay did not meet their expectations. Staff responded that the county's pay scale is available online and includes the county manager position, so applicants have access to the posted range.

Staff said reimbursement practices vary and that the board could decide whether to offer travel costs for finalists invited for the full-day in-person interviews and tours. Commissioners noted practical constraints such as budget limits and the candidate pool's geographic spread and said HR would handle scheduling and any reimbursement arrangements if the board chose to provide them.

No formal decision on reimbursement was recorded; staff advised the board to assume the posted pay scale unless they wished to authorize an exception during contract negotiations with the selected candidate.