Story County approves part‑time administrative assistant in county attorney's office; FY26 budget impact noted

The Story County Board of Supervisors voted on Jan. 2 to add a regular part‑time administrative assistant position in the county attorney’s office, approving the request after staff outlined duties and budget impacts.

County Attorney office leadership described the candidate as a long‑time intern who has performed primarily administrative duties for five years and said the office would post the position but expected the incumbent to be a highly qualified applicant. "She's been with us through the pandemic. She's a really good employee," the county attorney said.

Operations manager Elijah Hansen told the board the FY26 cost estimate for the position is $32,879, and that the office intends to offset part of that by reducing its extra‑help line item by about $15,000–$20,000 (the extra‑help line was described as approximately $50,000 currently). The county attorney said the office would absorb much of the change fiscally and that the hiring process would allow for other candidates; if a different applicant were selected, the office would still decrease extra‑help spending.

Supervisors asked whether the request would increase overall workforce and were told it would not expand headcount beyond existing allocations because the office expects to reassign current duties and reduce extra‑help. After discussion, a supervisor moved approval; the motion was seconded and the board recorded ayes from Supervisors Basil, Merkin and Heddens. The motion passed.

The board did not direct an immediate FY26 line‑item addition; staff said they would seek to have the position posted and in place by Feb. 1 and to incorporate any necessary adjustments in upcoming budget work sessions.