10:00 am Conduct a public hearing relating to a request by the County Auditor, Department 495, for a mid-year salary review on the entire County Auditor department due to retention and turnover issues and discuss (1) the reason for the funding in excess of the previously approved budget amount, including the public purpose that will be served by approving the additional funding; and (2) the exact amount and sources of the excess funding, and the terms for distribution of payments that affect and maintain the public purpose to be served by making the excess payment.

The reason for the funding in excess of the budgeted amount is to fund a mid-year salary study for the County Auditor's department. Please note - no additional funding is being requested for this fiscal year. There are enough unspent salary dollars, due to vacancies, to cover the amount listed. The funding increase would not be a budget impact until Fiscal Year 2026. The payments will be made through the regular payroll process using the general fund. The public purpose is retaining highly skilled employees within the County Auditor's office who are at a high risk of being recruited or seeking employment outside of Williamson County. Recruiting efforts for senior level positions for professional staff up to directors have also been slow for over a year. Salary allocations are within current policy by only increasing payment amounts if the employee in position is below the minimum of the new grade. Please see spreadsheet attached for exact amounts of funding.