Clinton County Commissioners Hold First Meeting for 2024: County Employee Salary and Wage Increases Approved By Salary Board

By Emily Wright

LOCK HAVEN – The Clinton County Commissioners held their biweekly meeting on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

The Commissioners addressed several new business items, including the reorganization of the Board of Commissioners and the minutes from the previous meeting. There were no public comments made during the meeting.

The Commissioners considered and approved the appointments of the Chief Clerk and Chief Assessor, effective January 1, 2024. They also appointed the law firm of Coploff, Ryan, and Houser as the County Solicitor temporarily, until a permanent successor can be appointed.

The assignment of Commissioner representatives to various boards and authorities for 2024 was also discussed and approved.

After the Commissioners’ meeting, the Salary Board convened to discuss and vote on salary and staffing matters for different county departments. The board considered and approved salary increases of $0.75 per hour for all full-time, non-elected employees. The board also approved an increase in hourly rates for various part-time positions and adopted a general policy for promotions. New job positions and changes to various job titles and descriptions were also established during the meeting.

The board voted in favor of wage increases for employees under the control and supervision of the Commissioners, Treasurer Michelle Kunes, President Judge Craig P. Miller, Prothonotary Cindy Love, Register and Recorder Jennifer Hoy, Sheriff Kerry Stover, District Attorney David Strouse, and Coroner Zach Hanna. These increases will be effective as of the first pay period of 2024 through December 31, 2024.

Effective for the first pay period of 2024, employees of the Clinton County Management Information Systems (MIS) Department will see an increase in salary of $537.00 annually.

The salary board eliminated the position of 911 Administrative and Fiscal Assistant and Clerk Typist II/Administrative Assistant Positions in the Department of Emergency Services (DES) before establishing the position of 911 Financial and Emergency Management Administrative Assistant at a starting salary of $39,543 (Grade J) for Jocelyn Phillips. The position of 911 Quality Assurance Supervisor in the DES was re-established, also at a starting salary of $39,543.

The salary board discussed a change in title and position description from “Veteran’s Service Officer” to “Assistant VA Director/VSO” in the Veteran’s Administration Office and voted in favor of an increase in salary to $37,897 (Grade I) for Jeffrey Croak.

Commissioners approved wages for all new hires for the part-time positions under their control and supervision. A part-time assessor will be compensated at $16.25/hour, custodial and housekeeping workers at $15.50/hour, corrections officers and Clinton County Correctional Facility maintenance at $15.50/hour, fully trained part-time 911 dispatchers at $16.75/hour, and paid interns at $12.75/hour. The salary board also increased county public defenders’ salaries to $1,463.00 annually.

Existing full-time staff under the control and supervision of the commissioners will be compensated at the higher of the starting salary of the new position or a 5% increase on his/her current salary.

Under the direction of Treasurer Michelle Kunes, all full-time non-elected employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement will receive an increase of $0.75 per hour. Existing full-time staff under the control and supervision of the treasurer will be compensated at a higher rate of the starting salary or a 5% increase in his/her current salary.

Under the direction of President Judge Craig Miller, all full-time, non-elected employees will receive an increase of $0.75 per hour. A change in the grade of Law Clerk in the courts was made from Grade L to Grade Q, with a starting salary increase of $53,616.00.

The salary board voted for an increase in salary to $15.50/hour for the position of part-time custodian at the Magisterial Court 3 office, and tipstaves will be compensated at $75.00 per diem.

These promotions will apply to full-time staff under the direction and control of President Judge Miller at the higher of the starting salary of the position or a 5% increase on his/her current salary.

Under the direction of Prothonotary Cindy Love, archival record scanner/trainer positions will be compensated at $15.50/hour, and archival interns at $12.75/hour. Promotions of existing full-time staff under the prothonotary’s direct control and supervision will be at the higher of the starting salary of the position or a 5% increase on his/her current salary.

Employees under the direction of Register and Recorder Jennifer Hoy will be compensated at the higher of the starting salary of a new position or a 5% increase in his/her current salary.

Full-time, non-elected employees under the direction of Sheriff Kerry Stover will receive a salary increase of $0.75/hour. All part-time security positions will be compensated at $15.50 per hour, and part-time deputy sheriffs will be compensated at $16.75 per hour. Existing full-time staff will be compensated at the higher of the starting salary of the new position or a 5% increase on his/her salary.

Under the direction of District Attorney David Strouse, full-time, non-elected employees will receive an increase of $0.75 per hour, and the part-time assistant district attorney will receive an increase of $1,463.00 annually. Existing full-time staff under the D.A.’s direct control and supervision will be compensated at the higher of the starting salary of the new position or a 5% increase on his/her current salary.

Under the direction of Coroner Zach Hanna, part-time deputy coroner Jennifer Sholley will receive an increase in compensation to $15.50 per hour.
The schedule for Commissioners’ meetings and biweekly work sessions to be held in January is available on the “Clinton County Government” Facebook page, where all meetings are live-streamed. Meetings are also held in person at the Piper Building in the 2nd-floor conference room. During the Public Comment Period, any member of the public who wishes to comment on any agenda item may do so. Those wishing to address the Board should send their comments or questions to commissioners@clintoncountypa.gov by 12 p.m. on the day of the meeting or call 570-893-4000 during the Public Comment Period.