Seneca County supervisors approved higher recruitment pay for a new human services commissioner and head jail nurse Tuesday while setting aside a proposal to restore a public works commissioner position.
The actions came as officials prepared for the current human services commissioner’s retirement and continued work on a broader management salary study.
The full board approved recruiting a human services commissioner at an annual salary of $129,939 during its Oct. 27 special meeting. The authorization allows the county to hire above the position’s starting rate based on experience; it did not announce an appointment.
Human services prepares for retirement
The current commissioner is scheduled to retire Jan. 30. The approved resolution authorizes the higher recruitment rate effective Jan. 1.
Human Resources Chair Frank Schmitter said the action would allow the county to begin the process of finding a successor.
The board also approved hiring a head jail nurse above the starting rate, authorizing a salary between $74,144 and $89,499.
The county has had little success recruiting qualified registered nurses for the jail despite advertising efforts lasting more than a year, the resolution states. Funding for the higher salary is available in the 2026 budget.
Public works position remains on hold
The Human Resources Committee tabled a proposal to create and fill a commissioner of public works division position. The item remained tabled when the special board meeting reached it later in the evening.
The proposal would place the county highway, facilities and code enforcement departments within the division. The commissioner would be required to hold a professional engineer’s license, with a proposed salary range of $100,650 to $133,483.
Seneca County created a public works commissioner position in 2017, then defunded and abolished it in 2020.
The proposed restoration would take effect Jan. 1, but supervisors did not advance it Tuesday.
Salary study discussion continues Nov. 5
Government Operations and Administration Chair Joe Borst scheduled a special committee meeting for 4 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Board of Supervisors room to continue reviewing the management salary study.
Borst said he hoped the discussion would allow the county to restart the approval process and proceed toward another public hearing.
He said most of the material should be suitable for discussion in public, although he would review whether any specific issues required an executive session.
The Human Resources Committee also supported filling several vacant positions, including a child protective services caseworker and a school-based substance abuse prevention counselor.
A separate request to fill a deputy position associated with an investigator vacancy did not advance after Schmitter said the county should wait for an incoming sheriff’s staffing preferences.
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