Assembly authorizes up to $100,000 contract extension for retired finance staffer to cover technician duties

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly approved a manager authorization to extend the existing contract with Marvely Otos as a temporary contracted employee in an amount not to exceed $100,000.

Assemblymember Masson moved the authorization and it was seconded and approved by the full assembly, 7‑0. Finance Director Charlene Thomas told the assembly Otos had returned from retirement to help cover two recent maternity leaves and a subsequent candidate withdrawal; the not‑to‑exceed figure is intended to avoid repeatedly returning the matter to the assembly.

Thomas said: “When we … Claire did come back from maternity leave, we interviewed and hired a position for that sales tax technician. And, about a week before she was to start, she withdrew. So we had to extend her contract again.” She added the borough does not expect the contract to reach $100,000 and that Otos had not yet reached $50,000.

Assemblymembers discussed hourly equivalence and budget impacts; staff said the amount was already budgeted and the contract would not require new appropriations. The assembly voted 7‑0 to approve the manager authorization.

Next steps: staff will continue recruitment for permanent technicians; the contract authorization will allow the manager to extend Otos’ service without repeated assembly actions.