The Warren County Commissioners signed off on an agreement that will bring county government a comprehensive policy and procedure manual.

Commissioner Tricia Durbin said that the proposal from Country Manor Management Consultant would put the manual together in eight weeks. She speculated that this is likely the first time the county has undertaken a “comprehensive effort” to identify policy, procedure and workflow issues for county operations.

Total cost — included in the 2021 budget — is $8,000.

Commissioner Jeff Eggleston said this is “something we’ve wanted to do for quite a few years” but “never made a focus.”

He said the county attempted to undertake the effort internally but need the first draft assembled by this firm “so the county can take it from there.”

He added that the county reached out to other consulting firms to obtain additional proposals but was unsuccessful.

“I think it’s a good idea,” Durbin added. “If it can be accomplished in eight weeks, I’m thrilled.”

The motion passed 2-0 with Commissioner Ben Kafferlin declaring a conflict of interest on the issue and not being present for the discussion or vote.

The commissioners also signed off on reallocations in the 2020 budget.

Kafferlin said it has not been common practice for the county to revisit the 2020 budget but said they know they should. He said the fiscal office can move funds in the budget within a department but “not necessarily across departments.”

The reallocations move funds from largely within departments “to make sure everything lines up properly,” he said.