Committee approves multiple personnel, budget and administrative measures; schedules executive session on litigation

The Warren County Personnel, Administration & Higher Education Committee on May 1 approved a series of administrative and personnel items and authorized an executive session to discuss reconciliation and litigation matters with county counsel present.

Key approvals included a resolution consenting to a collective bargaining agreement between SUNY Adirondack and the Faculty Association covering a term commencing Sept. 1, 2025, and terminating Aug. 31, 2030. Supervisor Driscoll moved the measure and Supervisor Meading seconded; the committee approved the agreement by voice vote.

The committee also approved an amendment to resolution No. 18 of 2025 to replace a member on the Warren‑Washington County Industrial Development Agency and Civic Development Corporation, appointing Kevin Mahoney in place of Supervisor Etoo effective at the date of the board meeting. Amanda, the clerk of the board, presented that item and the committee approved it on a voice vote.

Personnel and table‑of‑organization changes approved by the committee included creating a new probation officer trainee position effective May 14, 2025 (intended as a temporary lower‑step position to support succession and training), and a contingent patrol officer position for the sheriff’s office (annual salary cited at $56,111) effective June 1, 2025 to allow academy timing overlap. Jackie, who spoke for the sheriff’s office, explained the contingent patrol officer is to allow a new hire to start the police academy prior to an upcoming retirement and that funding is available.

The committee authorized temporary positions and training slots for the Summer Youth Employment Program for the program year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026. It also approved a temporary motor vehicle license/registration clerk position with an annual cost not to exceed $10,000, and a computer reserve fund transfer to move planned project funds to departmental computer purchases.

Under administrative policy, the committee adopted a Warren County Fiscal Approval Authority Management Policy to designate department heads or designees responsible for fiscal activity and to require written designee assignments. County Attorney Larry said the policy was developed after review by the county risk and safety committee to close a gap where the county had practice but no formal written policy. The policy requires adherence to the county purchasing policy, general municipal law, and generally accepted accounting principles, and defaults authority to the county administrator or designee if a department head or designee is unavailable.

Finally, the committee voted to enter executive session to receive a reconciliation update and a litigation update under the Public Officers Law sections referenced during the meeting and to include the county auditor, the director of human resources, the county property and casualty risk manager, and the public defender in that executive session. The county attorney indicated some matters to be discussed include lawsuits with and without insurance coverage and notice of claims; the committee recessed into executive session at the close of the public meeting.