SUNBURY - A request by Northumberland County Register and Recorder Mary Zimmerman for pay increases for her two deputies was denied during Tuesday's salary board meeting.
Voting against the increases were Commissioners Clausi, Richard Shoch and Stephen Bridy, and Controller Tony Phillips, who are permanent members of the salary board. Zimmerman voted in favor of the increases.
Zimmerman requested an $1,800 increase for second deputy Mary Cathy Scott and a $2,500 increase for first deputy Tina Mertz. The increases would bring the salaries of Scott and Mertz to $31,273 and $35,170, respectively. Scott has worked in the register and recorder's office for 13 years, while Mertz is a 19-year employee.
Zimmerman's request was not listed on the meeting agenda, but the board agreed to address it even though they recommended tabling the issue until the end of the year when the county's future financial outlook becomes clearer.
But Zimmerman insisted on taking a vote, noting that she had requested increases for the positions three years ago, but never was able to get them on the agenda.
Zimmerman said two union employees in her office were granted $1,800 and $1,400 salary increases in 2011 and 2010, respectively, which brought their salaries close to those of her deputies.
She also pointed out that other employees, including court personnel, were previously granted salary increases.
Clausi said the court personnel received their increases from Act 35 money rather than the general fund.
At the commissioners' meeting that followed the salary board session, Clausi announced health insurance for Northumberland County employees is expected to increase by $2 million next year, which will only add to the county's financial problems and could lead to a significant tax increase for residents.
The commissioner said health insurance costs will rise from $5 million to $7 million next year.
He said the majority of the 539 county employees have health insurance coverage through the county.
In other business, the commissioners entered into an agreement with Attorney Vincent V. Rovito Jr. of Shamokin to represent the county in matters relating to the condemnation actions and anticipated sale of the Northumberland-Montour County Airport in Riverside.
Clausi said the county hopes to sell its interest in the airport because it has not been cost effective to operate in recent years. The commissioner said the county, which jointly owns the airport with Montour County, was forced to pay $150,000 last year over an imminent domain dispute involving the expansion of the airport runway.
"The gravy train has to end," he said. "This airport is turning into a private club and it's hurting the county financially."
The board awarded a contract to Superior Plus Energy Services of Exton at their bid price of $.1450 per gallon, dealer handling charge, for supply and delivery of home heating oil at various county buildings. Superior Plus was the lone bidder.
A&S Mechanical of Milton was awarded a $99,600 contract for a natural gas boiler system at the courthouse. Six bids were submitted for the project.
Dabulis Masonry of Coal Township was awarded a $49,910 contract for chimney restoration at the courthouse. Three bids were submitted for the work.
Jeffery Fetterman was promoted to director of information services at a salary of $51,280.84. He replaces David Fisher, who resigned Sept. 28.
Eric Wendt was appointed to succeed Fetterman as assistant director of information services at a salary of $37,470.90.
Justin Dunkelberger of Northumberland was appointed to the SEDA-COG Foundation, with his term beginning immediately and ending July 31, 2015. Clausi said Dunkelberger was the only applicant for the post.
The commissioners passed a resolution to apply for a Keystone Communities Grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development for blight strategy development being coordinated by the Northumberland County Housing Authority.