By LAURA JAMESON ljameson@lockhaven.com
LOCK HAVEN - The Clinton County Board of Commissioners made adjustments to its staffing in two departments during a Salary Board meeting this week.
The board unanimously voted to eliminate a position in the assessment office and two in the conservation district.
Commissioner Angela Harding said the removal of these positions, and subsequent salary increase to staff that took on more duties, ultimately will see a net savings for the county.
"In an effort to save tax dollars and decrease the size of government, when we have positions that have gone unfilled we give the opportunity for staff to take on added duties. Then we are able to increase their pay a bit while seeing a cost savings to the county," Harding said at the board's meeting Thursday. "By doing so that creates a few things - retention for our staff and our bottom line looks better at the end of the day."
The following positions were eliminated of adjusted during the board's meeting:
- Elimination of a computer operator position in the assessment office, effective May 26, 2024.
- Salary increase for Carl Phillips, assistant chief assessor, to $48,192 annually, based on additional duties, effective May 26, 2024.
- Salary increase for Thomas Sobiech, tax assessment/data specialist, to $42,756 annually, based on additional duties, effective May 26, 2024.
- Salary increase for Charles Salvanish, tax assessment/data specialist, to $39,829 annually, based on additional duties, effective May 26, 2024.
- Elimination of one resource conservationist position at the conservation district, effective July 21, 2024.
- Elimination of one agricultural resource conservationist position at the conservation district, effective July 21, 2024.
- Salary increase for Susan Peters, district manager of the conservation district, to $62,312 annually, based on additional duties, effective July 21, 2024.
- Salary increase for Alexa Bixel, deputy district manager at the conservation district, to $51,500 annually, based on additional job duties, effective July 21, 2024.
- Salary increase for Charley Bloom, watershed specialist/educational coordinator, to $45,272 annually, based on additional duties, effective July 21, 2024.
- Salary increase for Carli McConnell, resource conservationist, to $45,272 annually, based on additional duties, effective July 21, 2024.
- Salary increase for Megan Galvin, agricultural resource conservationist, to $45,272 annually, based on additional duties, effective July 21, 2024.
- Salary increase to Abigail Chermack, agricultural resource conservationist, to $45,272 annually, based on additional duties, effective July 21, 2024.
In other personnel related matters, the commissioners accepted the retirement of Assistant Tax Claim Director Kathy Smith, effective Aug. 3. The commissioners said Smith - who was unable to attend Thursday's meeting - will receive a certificate which thanks her for 24 years of service.
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