Osage County approves BirdDog recruiting engagement to fill county controller, pending legal review
February 11, 2026 | Osage County, Kansas
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Osage County, Kan. — The Osage County Board of Commissioners voted Feb. 10 to accept a proposal from BirdDog Recruitment & Consulting to conduct the county controller recruitment, pending legal review of the final engagement contract.
Staff presented two local recruiting options and fee structures, including Premier/Key Staffing (flat fee and percentage structures including a 50% follow‑up fee for replacement searches) and BirdDog, which offers a replacement search at no additional professional fee if the selected candidate leaves within an initial guarantee period. Commissioners asked staff to clarify controller duties, which were described as front-end financial oversight (accounts payable, payroll, benefits and assistance in budget preparation) and as a managerial position that could require staffing support.
Why it matters: The creation or hiring of a county controller would move several financial administration duties from consultants or other offices into a central, permanent position. Commissioners debated budgetary impacts and operational benefits: some described the position as a way to bring financial work in-house and improve day-to-day support for county offices; others questioned whether the county is large enough to justify a salaried controller and associated staff costs.
Board action and vote: The board moved to accept BirdDog's proposal, pending legal review of the engagement contract, and the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. During the discussion, at least one commissioner explicitly opposed hiring the position at this time citing added budgetary commitments.
Next steps: The commission approved proceeding with BirdDog pending legal review; staff will return with final contract documents for legal review and subsequent formal engagement. The planning and budget implications identified during debate will be subject to the county's budget cycle.
Staff presented two local recruiting options and fee structures, including Premier/Key Staffing (flat fee and percentage structures including a 50% follow‑up fee for replacement searches) and BirdDog, which offers a replacement search at no additional professional fee if the selected candidate leaves within an initial guarantee period. Commissioners asked staff to clarify controller duties, which were described as front-end financial oversight (accounts payable, payroll, benefits and assistance in budget preparation) and as a managerial position that could require staffing support.
Why it matters: The creation or hiring of a county controller would move several financial administration duties from consultants or other offices into a central, permanent position. Commissioners debated budgetary impacts and operational benefits: some described the position as a way to bring financial work in-house and improve day-to-day support for county offices; others questioned whether the county is large enough to justify a salaried controller and associated staff costs.
Board action and vote: The board moved to accept BirdDog's proposal, pending legal review of the engagement contract, and the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. During the discussion, at least one commissioner explicitly opposed hiring the position at this time citing added budgetary commitments.
Next steps: The commission approved proceeding with BirdDog pending legal review; staff will return with final contract documents for legal review and subsequent formal engagement. The planning and budget implications identified during debate will be subject to the county's budget cycle.
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