Sagadahoc moves probate office duties to professional deputy, leaves elected register part-time

Sagadahoc County officials told the budget advisory committee they have reorganized the probate office to place more long-term operational responsibility with a professional deputy register while retaining a part-time elected register.

County staff said the change is intended to reduce turnover-related disruption, because the periodically elected register role requires specialized legal knowledge with a steep learning curve. Hannah Dickinson has returned to the probate office as deputy register and office manager; Tatiana Curtis now holds the probate clerk role the committee was told. The county said it is caucusing to fill the part-time elected probate register position.

Staff and committee members discussed compensation implications. Staff said the combined budget lines for elected officials in the relevant section totaled about $84,000–$85,000 in last year’s figures and provided illustrative salary figures during the meeting: a probate judge position in the packet was shown near $47,100 and the part-time probate register near $37,800. Committee members asked that deputy and professional staff compensation be considered in the wage adjustments planned this year.

Committee members said they expect the wage-adjustment process will address any pay differences resulting from the staffing change; staff confirmed that wage adjustments will be considered during the county’s wage-study and budget process. No formal vote was reported about the personnel reassignments; staff said the changes are already in effect and the caucus to select the part-time elected register is ongoing.