Allegany County officials approve single exception to employment-of-relatives policy for Public Works hire

Allegany County officials approved an exception to the county's employment-of-relatives policy, resolving to allow the Department of Public Works to hire one assistant heavy equipment mechanic despite the restriction in Resolution No. 66-99.

The motion, read aloud at the meeting, said the exception applied to "1 position of assistant heavy equipment mechanic" in the Department of Public Works. After the motion was read, a county official called for the vote; the board voice-voted the motion as approved.

The vote followed a brief exchange about whether a future, higher-grade opening for the same position would require the same exception process. Barnes (meeting participant) asked whether a later, higher opening would need to go through the same procedure. An unidentified staff member replied, "We would look we would take a look at that and see where that where that falls to see if we need to come back and, readdress this. So it it absolutely could." Barnes also noted that "all new employees are on probation. Sure. Encourage the 52 weeks." The transcript indicates the probation period was raised as part of the discussion but does not show any change to the county's standard probation policies.

The motion was read again before the vote and carried by voice vote. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally or the name of a second for the motion; the public record at the meeting shows the motion was moved by Rick and then approved with the board saying "Aye." The meeting returned to routine business and adjourned shortly afterward.

No additional details about the hire's candidate, salary, or whether the exception is limited to this single appointment were provided in the recorded discussion.