The Hancock County Commission on Jan. 2 approved a package of personnel, committee and hiring actions, including setting advertising and salary guidance for a vacant shelter director position and establishing a part-time animal control rate.

Commissioners voted to approve the board of equalization and review meeting dates and to advertise those dates as required. The commission then considered 2025 personnel appointments and approved the full list as amended to add Floyd Schulte as part-time dog warden/humane officer.

On committee appointments, the commission denied a motion to table consideration, then approved an amendment to list Commissioner Cech as the executive representative on the BDC by a 2‑to‑1 vote. The commission later approved an amendment to name Tommy Ogden as the executive representative on the BHJ by a 3‑0 vote and then approved the full committee appointments list by a 3‑0 vote.

The commission approved a change in salary for Finance Administrator Ira Arasich; the transcript notes the change was related to increased work in the finance department driven by grants but does not list a dollar figure in the minutes.

The commission approved a job description and hourly rate for the newly appointed part‑time animal control position for Floyd Schulte, recording the wage as $17.10 per hour and approving the appointment.

Finally, the commission authorized advertising to fill the vacant director position at the Hancock County Bridal Shelter. Commissioners discussed prior full‑time director salaries and were told previous full‑time director pay ranged from $45,000 to $65,000; the commission voted to advertise with a starting salary of $45,000 and offer incentives based on performance and qualifications.

Votes at a glance: board of equalization dates — approved 3‑0; personnel appointments (as amended to add Floyd Schulte) — approved 3‑0; amendment to add Floyd Schulte as part‑time humane officer — approved 3‑0; motion to table committee appointments — failed 1‑2; amendment to add Commissioner Cech to BDC executive seat — approved 2‑1; amendment to add Tommy Ogden to BHJ executive seat — approved 3‑0; final committee appointments — approved 3‑0; finance administrator salary change — approved 3‑0; job description and $17.10/hour for part‑time animal control — approved 3‑0; advertise and fill shelter director at $45,000 with incentives — approved 3‑0.

The transcript does not include roll‑call vote lists with individual commissioners’ yes/no votes for most items; the record records several vote tallies and some acclamations. The commission set the next meeting for Jan. 9 at 2:30 p.m.