Montgomery County board selects part-time clerk candidate

(Red Oak) -- Montgomery County officials have selected a candidate for a newly-created position.

By a 3-1 vote Tuesday morning, the county's board of supervisors approved the recommendation for hiring a candidate for the part-time budget, finance and human resources clerk, with a starting wage of $30 per hour, not to exceed 30 hours per week. Back in July, the supervisors approved County Auditor Jill Ozuna's request for the position by a 3-2 vote. Supervisors Chair Charla Schmid says the temporary position is for one year only, and will be reviewed periodically.

"Things that we had, I had stated that we will do, I will do, we will do as a board is just every three months, we will sit down with the person and the auditor's office," said Schmid, "and review and see what we need to tweak, what's working, what's not working. It's not permanent forever--it's just a trial."

Schmid, along with Ozuna and Supervisor Alex Burton interviewed two candidates for the position. Of the two, Schmid says one candidate's experience stood apart.

"A bachelor of science in accounting from Northwest Missouri State," she said, "an associate of arts and business administration from Iowa Western Community College. She had all the skills, office skills--you know, Microsoft Word, Excel, Access Powerpoint. She has Quick Books and inventory tracking, scheduling and multi-provider calendar management, customer service and client support, confidential records handling, social media and advanced technology proficiency."

Supervisor Mark Peterson cast the lone dissenting vote. Peterson says it was his understanding that the entire board would interview the selected candidate before a decision is made. Peterson also stated he received no information on the candidate. Ozuna replied she emailed information out to each board member September 13, with a message back that it was received by all. Originally opposed to the new position, Burton voiced support for the candidate selected. While saying he was willing to postpone a vote, Burton added the county risked losing the selected candidate.

"I'm all in favor of making sure everybody has the information they need," said Burton. "I will put an asterisk by that this is a good candidate that we may lose between now and next week. So, there is kind of a time-sensitive (situation), but I want to make sure everyone is comfortable. Be aware of that happening between now and next Tuesday."

While saying he also never received information on the candidate, Supervisor Mike Olson says he trusted the hiring committee's judgment on the candidate selected. Supervisor Bryant Amos was absent. Schmid declined to divulge the selected candidate's name, saying she has not yet been offered the job. Should she decline it, Schmid says the position would be offered to the other candidate.

Montgomery County board selects part-time clerk candidate

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