Commissioners fault administrator for same‑day cut, demand line‑by‑line justifications

Commissioners pressed the interim county administrator after he disclosed that a special projects director position had been cut "today," saying employees and the public deserve clearer notice and written justifications for cuts.

"You went up there and cut little Bradley today. You fired that woman today," said a commissioner during the meeting, calling for an explanation of who made the decision and when. Mr. James acknowledged the special projects director position had been eliminated and said department heads met with him and made recommendations on positions that could be reduced.

Multiple commissioners said the board should have an opportunity to review recommendations before personnel actions occur. Commissioner Holt said the budget packet needs definitions beside each variance so the public and commissioners can see what services would be affected. Commissioner Woods and others urged that, where possible, vacancies be filled by reassigning duties rather than immediate termination.

Commissioners asked staff to provide the packet of recommended position changes, including whether a reduction represents a vacant position, a reallocation of duties, or the elimination of a filled post, before further personnel actions are taken.