Wapello County supervisors review plan to hire full-time county engineer, cite $145,058 average salary

The Wapello County Board of Supervisors discussed hiring a full-time (non-shared) county engineer during its May 21 meeting, reviewing candidates’ qualifications and several terms of employment.

Board members raised the salary benchmark for an unshared engineer, noting an average annual figure of $145,058.00. The discussion also covered a proposed 90-day probationary period, standard pre-employment background checks and reference verification, drug testing, and whether the county would cover moving expenses for a successful candidate.

Chair Darren Batterson presided over the discussion. Vice Chair Carrie Teninty and Supervisor Bryan Ziegler participated in the review of applicants and employment terms; Brad Skinner, identified as the county’s Engineer for Secondary Roads, was listed among attendees and would be the role most directly affected by a hiring decision. The minutes state that the candidates’ qualifications and backgrounds were reviewed but do not record a formal hiring motion or final decision.

Because the minutes summarize discussion rather than a formal appointment, no effective date, salary offer, or start date for a new engineer is recorded in the public minutes. The board’s next steps on the hiring process were not specified in the record.