Ashley Helmstaedter

The board meeting included executive session discussions on personnel matters prior to the official meeting. New business involved salary and position actions for several departments. For the District Attorney, there was a ratification involving the creation of a Part Time Detective I position. For the Register of Wills, actions included the elimination of a Second Deputy position and the subsequent creation of a new Second Deputy position, both effective on the same date through an internal transfer. The Parks & Recreation agenda detailed proposed additional compensation structures for Lead Lifeguards and Lifeguards based on instructing swimming lessons, working lane rental sessions, and completing the pool season in 2026.

The Board conducted the election of officers for the 2026 term. Old business focused on updates regarding specific farm projects, including survey completions and state submissions for easement purchases. The Board also reviewed the 2026 application round, discussed farm rankings, and approved proceeding with easement exploration for selected high-ranking farms. Additionally, the Board requested updates on farm conservation plans and fencing. New business included a discussion on the maintenance of Century-designated farm status regarding familial ownership requirements.

The Salary Board meeting addressed several personnel and compensation matters across various county departments. Key actions included the Clerk of Courts department eliminating one position (First Deputy) and immediately creating a new one with an internal transfer, resulting in a 12.5% pay increase for the employee in the new role. The department also eliminated the Second Deputy position and created a new one with an internal transfer, reflecting a 9.2% pay increase for the new incumbent. Salary fixes were approved for the Controller's Pension Coordinator and two Deputy Coroner positions. For the District Attorney's office, positions of Victim Witness Assistant Coordinator and Victim Witness Aide were eliminated, and new positions with updated funding sources were created effective for the remainder of 2026. The Prothonotary established a new, temporary Part Time Accounting Assistant role. The Sheriff's office eliminated and then recreated the Captain (Administration) position without apparent change in compensation or status. Finally, salary fixes were approved for an Administrative Assistant I in the Commissioner's office (representing a 3% increase) and several part-time roles within the Area Agency on Aging, along with a System Manager in Information Technology, an Investigator and Paralegal in the Public Defender's office, and Tipstaff positions in Court Administration.

The agenda focuses on financial reporting, specifically the approval of the check register. The Warden's report includes current inmate statistics and facility population counts. Old business items concern responses to FCC regulations regarding Smart Communications and scanner service inquiries with Tek84. New business items involve the renewal of the DataWorks Solutions service agreement, alongside the approval of new hires and media conference proceedings.

The meeting included a reorganization session where the Prison Board unanimously elected officers for two-year terms: Sheriff Michael Slupe as Chairman, Leslie Osche as Vice Chairman, and Controller Ben Holland as Secretary. The board reviewed and approved the Operating Revenues/Expenditures Report for the period ending December 31, 2025, including the monthly check register. The Warden provided a report detailing the prison population figures as of January 13, 2026, along with per diem inmate statistics, and apprised the Board of Inmate Welfare Fund purchases. Approval was also granted for new hires.