WALLACE — Shoshone County leaders have been unable to fill the public works director position, which has been vacant for just over two months. 

Money, or more specifically, not enough of it, may explain why.

Former director Jessica Stutzke submitted her letter of resignation in late January after months of frustration over budget constraints and public scrutiny. 

County commissioners discussed the department's status and next steps during a meeting last Wednesday. 

Commissioner Dave Dose, who serves as the board’s liaison to public works, told commissioners that the county must not only hire a new director but also fill additional vacant positions at the county shop near Murray. 

“We’re not bailing water as fast as we’re sinking,” Dose said. 

Dose cited results from a recent wage study that identified the public works director position as in need of immediate attention due to its low pay. 

The county has posted the job with a starting salary of $51,000 per year plus benefits, Dose said and has not received even one application. Available data show that the salary is between $10,000 and $20,000 below the average starting wage for similarly sized counties in Idaho. 

Shoshone County maintains about 400 miles of county-managed roads across 2,600 square miles. 

Public works directors oversee the planning, maintenance and operation of essential public infrastructure. The position typically includes responsibility for roads, bridges, snow removal and drainage and may also include parks, noxious weed control, or water and wastewater systems. 

Directors manage departmental budgets, supervise staff, administer state and federal grants, oversee contracts and ensure compliance with Idaho law and environmental regulations. They advise elected officials, coordinate with state and federal agencies and respond to emergencies. 

Dose said he believes the county would need to raise the starting wage to at least $60,000 to attract applicants. 

All three commissioners agreed the starting salary would need to increase, but disagreed on how to fund the adjustment. 

Commissioner Melissa Cowles suggested holding another meeting and including County Clerk Lori Osterberg to explore possible budget shifts. Commissioner Jeff Zimmerman suggested looking at whether additional funds could be generated through Good Neighbor Authority projects. 

Good Neighbor Authority is a federal program that allows state, county and tribal governments to conduct certain land-management and restoration work on federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. 

Dose agreed with both proposals but said any funding used to support the position must be reliable on a year-to-year basis. 

“We should fund this from something that’s permanent,” Dose said. “We know the message, we’re going to have to find the money somewhere.” 

The commissioners plan to revisit the issue later this week.