News : Benton County Approves the hiring of new assistant to the HR Director

Following a discussion on the hiring of an assistant in a closed session last year, the Benton County Supervisors approved a new hire in the HR Department almost a year later. It appears that the plan to hire wasn't put on an agenda, if it was, Vinton Today was unable to find it (I'm open to corrections.) It is normal for job postings to be placed on the agenda for discussion or approval by the board. Vinton Today stumbled across the posting a day before the last day for applications to be taken.

The current director hasn't been in office yet a year but insists that a new hire is necessary. Upon the hiring of the HR Director, she was also granted four weeks of vacation, more than any employee would get until year 17 in a county position. After the first year, she will get five weeks of vacation. She stated in the meeting there was a need for more help so that the part-time worker could cover the office when she is out.

Several residents had issues with putting out more money while the taxes are already high. County employees had issues after working in their own departments without help for several years and not being allowed to hire help. However, this department was promised help upon hiring.

On the one hand, the HR department has made the case for needing more help, and on the other keeps asking for more responsibilities. In other discussions, it was noted that the current director is also still working another part-time job.

The supervisors also approved moving files from the Auditor's office to the HR Director's office at the last meeting. It was unclear if that was to take place immediately as Supervisor Primmer and the HR Director thought or following the election when the Auditor's office has time to pull them and box them as both Supervisor Tracy Seeman and Gary Bierschenck thought.

The meetings can be watched here.

Yesterday's meeting

Today's hiring (It follows the Iowa Pubic Information Board training)