The Town Council voted Dec. 4 to upgrade two positions on staff to better position the town’s economic outlook.

The jobs of economic development specialist and tourism assistant have been expanded to full-time positions.

The tourism position was also upgraded to tourism coordinator.

Staff is making changes to the personnel with the economic development specialist position held by Scott Cooper and the tourism assistant position held by Grace Rodman-Guetter.

It was about one year ago that the town took over the tourism initiative from the Chamber of Commerce and at about the same time hired an economic development specialist to work 25 hours per week.

“Based on the organization’s needs to implement the economic development plan and to market and grow tourism in Fountain Hills, it is recommended to convert both part-time positions to full-time positions effective Jan. 1,” town Director of Administration Grady Miller told the council in his staff report.

A third position will be upgraded also. A park attendant position will be reclassified to lead park attendant.

The mid-year changes to the personnel organization required council approval of budget adjustments.

Miller recommended to provide the necessary funding for the tourism change with a transfer from the economic development fund to tourism.

Miller noted that the resolution will provide the necessary funding for the tourism coordinator and change the allocation of excise tax from 40 percent downtown strategy and 60 percent economic development to 80 percent economic development and 20 percent downtown strategy.

The economic development specialist position is also reclassified as an exempt position ineligible for overtime. The salary range for the job is placed at $58,864 to $83,711.

The salary range for the Tourism Coordinator is $40,111 to $57,042.