Warren County committee approves pay adjustments, emergency-closure policy and insurance reserve changes

Warren County supervisors on March 6 approved a series of personnel and administrative measures, including using a state grant to support public defender retention, a pay reallocation for county Department of Public Works drivers, a new county emergency-closure policy, a new hire in the solid-waste division and an amendment to the county's insurance reserve that lets the county attorney settle small claims.

The measures were taken during a meeting of the Warren County Personnel Administration and Higher Education Committee chaired in the absence of Chairman Mike Veil; the panel voted by voice on each item and advanced the measures to county finance or the full board where required.

Why it matters: the actions affect county payroll costs, service staffing and the county's approach to routine liability claims. Officials said the moves aim to improve retention of crucial staff (public defenders and DPW drivers), to clarify emergency-closure procedures for county facilities, and to allow faster settlement of small property and casualty claims.

Public defender grant and retention

The committee approved using one of two Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) grants designated as Supplemental Aid to Defense to address retention in the public defender's office. The public defender's office told the committee that departures over recent years were often for financial reasons and that attorneys can make higher hourly rates on the assigned-counsel panel, which pays $158 per hour.

The office proposed using grant money to provide marginal salary increases for recently hired and newly onboarded attorneys as a retention measure. Committee members discussed the contingency that any ongoing pay increases would depend on continued DCJS funding; the public defender's office said the use of the grant was permissible and that they would report on effectiveness if funding continues.

Solid-waste staffing

Public Works Superintendent Kevin Hajos explained the county's solid-waste operation now covers collection for all towns in Warren County. He asked to add one additional full-time MEO (driver) position so the division can maintain three full-time drivers during busy periods while allowing the mechanic to perform equipment repairs rather than drive.

The committee approved the position by voice vote.

DPW pay reallocation for drivers

County Administrator John Chaplin presented a multi-year effort, supported by CSEA, to reallocate approximately $500,000 to raise pay for DPW employees, chiefly to boost competitiveness for CDL drivers. Chaplin said the changes amount to roughly $1.00 to $1.50 per hour on average and include a $3-per-hour stipend for employees holding CDLs. He said the increase would not match top neighboring wages but would bring county pay closer to neighboring municipalities.

Chaplin and staff told the committee that financing will come from multiple county sources: several road reserves and line items, road machinery funds and a general-fund contribution of about $38,748. The finance committee will consider the appropriation.

Emergency-closure policy

Chaplin also presented a proposed Warren County Emergency Closure Policy intended to clarify authority and procedures for closing county facilities, late arrivals and early departures in severe weather or other emergencies. Chaplin said the working group drafting the policy included the county attorney, risk management and the treasurer's office, and that the policy addresses payroll handling for closures. The committee approved the policy by voice vote.

CDTA board nomination

The committee advanced a nomination for Liza Ochsendorf to represent Warren County on the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) board of directors. Chaplin said he and other local officials agreed it was preferable that the county administrator not serve on the CDTA board and that Ochsendorf, whom he described as knowledgeable about county transportation issues, had support from Glens Falls Mayor Collins and other partners. The nomination will proceed as a resolution to the full board; Governor Kathy Hochul makes the final appointment to the CDTA board.

Insurance reserve amendment and fund transfers

County Attorney Larry Ellman asked the committee to amend Resolution No. 497 of 2019, which created an insurance reserve for property and casualty losses. Ellman said the county currently has about $15,000 in the reserve and proposed three changes: (1) authorize the county attorney to settle property or casualty claims on the county's behalf up to $25,000 (and not to exceed insurance deductibles); (2) move $52,786.15 into the insurance reserve from department budget lines that had budgeted a larger premium increase than the actual insurance increase; and (3) seed $25,000 each into deductible lines for DPW and the sheriff's office to allow quicker payment of small claims.

Ellman said the $52,786.15 represents the difference between a budgeted 10% premium increase and an actual 3.8% increase this year, and that unused funds seeded to departments would revert to the insurance reserve at year-end. He said the county attorney would report any settlements paid from the new authority to the committee within 60 days of payment so the committee could track deductible-level spending.

Committee procedure, executive session

The committee voted to enter executive session to discuss two personnel matters and litigation updates under Public Officers Law —8(3). During the public portion of the meeting, supervisors proceeded through motions and voice votes to approve the items above; several motions included a request that specific staff (for example, the DPW superintendent, the director of human resources and the county risk manager) be allowed to remain for parts of the executive session.

Votes at a glance

- Use DCJS Supplemental Aid to Defense grant funds for public defender retention: approved by voice vote; funding use contingent on continued DCJS support; tally not recorded in committee minutes. - Add one full-time MEO (driver) to Solid Waste: approved by voice vote; tally not recorded. - Reallocate roughly $500,000 for DPW pay adjustments (average $1.00–$1.50/hour; $3/hour CDL stipend); general-fund portion approx. $38,748: approved by voice vote; appropriation to be processed through finance. - Adopt Warren County Emergency Closure Policy (addresses late arrival, early departure, payroll): approved by voice vote. - Nominate Liza Ochsendorf for Warren County's seat on the CDTA Board of Directors (final appointment by governor): approved by voice vote; resolution to full board. - Amend Resolution No. 497 (2019) to expand insurance reserve and authorize county attorney to settle claims up to $25,000; transfer $52,786.15 into reserve; seed $25,000 each to DPW and sheriff deductible lines: approved by voice vote; payments to be reported within 60 days.

The committee did not record individual roll-call tallies in the public minutes for these voice votes; each item advanced as noted and will proceed to the appropriate subsequent committee or full board action where required.

Ending

Committee members scheduled the matters for follow-up where required (finance appropriation, full-board nomination resolution and periodic reporting back on claims paid). The meeting moved into executive session for personnel and litigation matters following the public actions.