Orange County panel confirms aging director, approves staffing changes and pay adjustments

The Orange County Personnel and Compensation Committee on Jan. 23 confirmed Danielle Diana Smith as director of the Office for the Aging, approved several personnel reclassifications and new positions across county departments, and adopted two local-law salary changes for elected and advisory posts.

The confirmation was made at the start of the meeting after County Executive Steve Newhouse submitted Smith’s nomination; the appointment is set to begin Feb. 1, 2025. Committee members voted in favor of the confirmation. Anne Marie Maglione, the outgoing director of the Office for the Aging, thanked the committee and said, "it's been a real pleasure working with all of you." The committee acknowledged Maglione’s years of service.

Why it matters: the actions reallocate staff and pay within core county services — aging services, public safety, the clerk’s office, youth services and public works — and include local-law changes that alter compensation for county officers and an advisory committee chair.

Key actions and votes

- Appointment: Danielle Diana Smith was confirmed as director, Orange County Office for the Aging, effective Feb. 1, 2025. (Legislative request no. 023.) The committee voted to confirm the appointment.

- Office for the Aging staffing: The committee approved creating a full-time case manager (grade 14) by reassigning the current permanent…