Board approves hire of deputy district attorney with $8,000 signing bonus

Klamath County commissioners voted at their budget workshop to approve hiring a deputy district attorney (DDA 2) at step 5 and to offer an $8,000 hiring bonus, staff said.

The request was presented by county staff on behalf of Melina Johnson, identified in the transcript as the chief administrative manager. "Approve the request to hire a DDA 2 at step 5 and offer an $8,000 hire in April," the motion stated, and a board member moved the item; the chair then called for the vote and commissioners signified assent.

Board members and staff did not record a roll-call vote in the workshop transcript; the motion was announced as made and seconded, then carried by voice vote. Staff said the department had funds available to cover the hire because a previously budgeted DDA 3 had resigned.

Why it matters: The DA's office is operating under tight budget constraints and has been managing overtime and vacant positions while maintaining court coverage. The approved hire will restore capacity in criminal prosecutions and was presented as not requiring an additional appropriation because of existing vacancy savings.

What comes next: Staff will proceed with the hire under the parameters approved by the board and return any necessary paperwork or budget adjustments to the board as required. The workshop did not record a formal second or individual vote tallies in the transcript; the action was recorded as approved.