Committee approves multiple county hires and amends language for grant‑funded positions to avoid automatic elimination

The Ways and Means Committee on Sept. 11 approved a series of personnel requests across county departments and amended the language for grant‑funded positions so they would not be filled if external funding ends. County officials listed salary ranges, benefit estimates and funding sources for the positions during the meeting. Thomas Windus, county superintendent of public works, requested permission to fill one full‑time janitor position with an estimated annual salary between $37,879 and $44,690 and estimated annual benefits between $15,008.98 and $18,007.56; the position is funded with county funds and included in the 2025 budget. Windus also requested a separate DPW position with an estimated salary range of $43,692 to $52,661 and benefits of $18,337 to $22,101; that position is 100% county funded and included in the 2025 budget. Both requests were approved by the committee. District Attorney Ian Jones requested permission to fill two full‑time district attorney positions created by a board action on Aug. 27; the committee recorded estimated salaries of $70,000 to $100,000 and benefits of $29,000 to $42,000, funded 100% by county funds. The committee approved the request. Anita Madison, director of the Office for the Aging, requested multiple positions: five Meals on Wheels driver positions with an annual pay of about $13,500 and benefits of approximately $3,105 each, funded 10% county/70% state/20% federal; three grounds worker positions with estimated salaries of $37,800 to $44,690 and benefits listed as included, funded 100% by state funds; and one typist position with an estimated salary of $33,000 to $38,500 and benefits, funded 20% county/50% state/15% federal/15% other. The committee approved all of those position requests. Committee members debated whether resolutions creating positions funded by grants should include language requiring automatic elimination if the grant funding ends. Several members cautioned that automatically eliminating positions could create problems if alternative funding becomes available later. Mrs. Burdick proposed, and the committee approved, an amendment to resolutions that the positions "will not be filled if the funding goes away," rather than language that would automatically eliminate the positions. Committee members and staff noted departments are responsible for tracking their grants and that grant applications include a line about county obligations if funding ends. Committee members also noted that the three grounds worker positions previously existed under different job titles and that some had been part‑time rather than full‑time. The committee approved the amendment and the motions to create and fill the listed positions by voice votes.