County to split new communications hire between Emergency Management and Communications

County staff outlined plans to create a shared communications position that would serve both Emergency Management and the Communications function. The proposed hire would have duties split between emergency operations and public information; staff showed a proposed 50/50 salary split between the two cost centers.

The county’s goal is to combine communications responsibilities with emergency management to improve cross‑training and reduce duplication. Commissioners asked whether the shared position would be budgeted hourly or salaried and how overtime would be split when duties overlap. Staff confirmed payroll systems can allocate hourly labor across two cost centers and that overtime would be apportioned the same way.

Capital outlay and start‑up costs for the position were listed in emergency management’s budget; commissioners asked staff to break out anticipated equipment, vehicle, and training expenses for the shared hire. Staff also said the communications function will continue to carry routine operating costs (fuel, licensing, contractual services) and that the new hire’s contractual and training costs would be distributed between the two funds.

Commissioners asked staff to return with a final, line‑by‑line staffing plan and a recommended split for the 2026 budget. No formal action was taken at the workshop; staff will provide a final proposal and updated budget lines.