Equalization director outlines retirement and succession plan; board asks wage increase be placed on next agenda

Shannon, director of equalization, told the board Jan. 6 that he plans to retire in the coming months and presented a succession plan to train senior appraiser Trevor Abernathy to assume leadership. Shannon requested a pay-step increase for Trevor for taking on training responsibilities, referencing HR policy and a proposed step (Step 16) rate.

Commissioners supported cross-training but asked that any wage increase request be presented as a discrete agenda item with full documentation so the board could vote after review. Commissioner Hancock said the board should be clear whether Trevor is being advanced into the director role before approving a training pay increase. Commissioners agreed to have the HR memo and a formal wage-step proposal appear on the next agenda for formal action.

Shannon said he supported following policy and asked that the commission consider the HR-recommended step increase rather than his initial suggested figure; the commission directed staff to include the wage step on the next meeting agenda for a public vote.