Delaware County Council on Oct. 28 completed a first reading of Salary Ordinance 2025‑25, a proposed revision to the county salary ordinance that would (1) expand part‑time hourly ranges and (2) change the process for posting and filling vacant positions so that the human‑resources director notifies the finance committee before posting and may require council review before a hire.

The ordinance consolidates several part‑time pay levels into a single range and adds procedural steps intended to increase council oversight of new or replacement hires. Commissioner Brand (presenting the changes) said the measure "modernizes" part‑time classifications by creating a single $12–$20 range and giving department heads more flexibility while also creating a review step for hires. The discussion focused on two substantive points: whether the finance committee or the full council should approve vacancy postings and whether the auditor's office should be the primary recipient for PI (payroll information) forms.

Council members pressed for clearer drafting. One member observed that the proposed process could create duplicate approvals (pre‑posting permission followed by approval after a hire is selected) and recommended revising the language to avoid unnecessary steps. Several members asked that draft language be shared with elected officials and department heads before second reading so they can comment on operational impacts; Clerk Rick Spangler asked for a meeting of elected officials with the council to discuss language and local operational realities.

Outcome: The ordinance passed first reading (motion and second recorded) and council members requested edits before second reading, including (a) clarifying whether full council or only finance committee approval is required, (b) shifting the PI form routing to the auditor's office for payroll entry, and (c) removing redundant approval statements.

Next steps: Council members agreed to refine language with counsel and staff, circulate a revised draft to department heads and elected officials, and aim to discuss changes at a department‑head meeting scheduled in November.