County authorizes creation of temporary deputy prosecuting attorney position to handle tax-foreclosure work
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Summary
The board approved creation of a temporary, part‑time Deputy Prosecuting Attorney 2 position to handle tax‑foreclosure work and authorized HR to prepare a job description; commissioners asked that a hiring‑freeze exception and funding details be brought forward before advertising.
Wallowa County commissioners on July 28 authorized creation of a temporary, part‑time Deputy Prosecuting Attorney 2 position dedicated to tax‑foreclosure matters and directed Human Resources to develop a job description. The county intends to seek a hiring‑freeze exception and, if approved, recruit a candidate with substantial experience to expedite complex foreclosure proceedings.
Why it matters: The county treasurer had filed certificates of delinquency on a set of parcels; staff said experienced legal help is needed to move tax‑foreclosure cases efficiently. The board agreed a temporary, focused attorney can advance foreclosure work and relieve the civil unit’s workload while a vacancy persists.
Terms and budget guidance: The board approved creation of a temporary hourly position (up to 10 hours per week in initial plan) and discussed hiring above the Step B pay point to attract experienced counsel. HR and the county prosecutor will complete the job description; a formal hiring‑freeze exception with funding details will be required before posting. Commissioners noted existing salary lines and prior unspent personnel savings could cover short-term costs.
Next steps: HR will finalize a job description and present a hiring‑freeze exception petition with fund-source details to the board.