County adds engineering line to solid‑waste/code compliance; staff propose $90,000 target

Planning and budget staff proposed adding a new engineering position to support code compliance and solid‑waste functions and inserting a corresponding salary line in the solid‑waste budget.

Staff instructed budget staff to add a line labeled "Engineering" (409‑0005) and initially suggested a $30,000 placeholder in one place for the near term. During the discussion, participants suggested a market target of about $90,000 for an experienced engineer line that would be placed under the public works administrator or solid‑waste oversight, depending on final assignment.

"What are you using as a target wage for that engineer?" Speaker 5 asked. Another participant replied, "Put a 100,000 on that... Have we put a 101 in it? Probably a 120." After further discussion, staff proposed $90,000 as an appropriate target and agreed to show $30,000 in one line now with the expectation of finalizing the full wage and placement before publication.

The county also discussed moving a county engineer line from one fund to a public‑works administrator/engineer line with higher target compensation; participants agreed to review placement and to shift the earlier lower amount out of the prior line so the $90,000 target could be visible in the working budget.

Why it matters: Adding an engineer position and funding it at market rates would create an ongoing personnel commitment and affect solid‑waste and public works budgets.

Next steps: Budget staff to add the engineering line (409‑0005), show the temporary $30,000 entry where discussed, and circulate updated pages while staff finalize the full position placement and salary target.