Warren County’s Personnel Administration & Higher Education Committee took a series of personnel, policy and contracting actions at its Dec. 5 meeting and voted to enter executive session to discuss pending litigation.

The committee approved routine minutes and a $2,500 intra‑departmental transfer requested by Jackie, the county human resources director, to move money from part‑time salaries to overtime. Jackie said the transfer was needed because “we've had a lot of Saturday tests...acquiring comp time that's gonna have to be paid out” and the department has a vacancy that left part‑time funds available.

The board approved a four‑year memorandum of agreement covering corrections lieutenants represented by the corrections supervisors association. County staff said the pact mirrors recent agreements for patrol supervisors and includes pay increases beginning in 2026 (disclosed in committee materials as approximately 3%, then 3.25%, 3.5% and 3.5% in later years), an increase in on‑call pay from $50 weekday/$75 weekend to $75 weekday/$100 weekend, a 25% employee contribution to the health plan for the term, and a one‑time clothing allotment increase to $1,500 on promotion.

Supervisors also approved an amendment to the table of organization to create senior communications officer positions to ensure senior‑level communications coverage; materials list a base annual salary of $60,486 for each new position effective Dec. 22, 2025.

On legislative matters, the county attorney presented a proposed local law and accompanying resolution to modify residency requirements in the public officers' law for three categories of appointed attorneys — assistant district attorneys, assistant public defenders and assistant county attorneys — and the committee voted to send the proposal on for a public hearing. The county attorney told supervisors the modification would not apply to first assistants, who must meet residency requirements to assume vacancies.

The committee adopted a wire transfers and e‑banking policy recommended by the Warren County Risk and Safety Committee after staff said the policy was required by state law and needed for the county’s 2026 insurance renewal submissions. The county attorney said the policy clarifies who has authority to sign depository and banking agreements.

The committee approved a contract with New York State Industries for the Disabled to provide mail‑fulfillment services for the 2026 tax foreclosure process. County materials described the processing cost as $14.08 per interested party; that expense will be added back to parcels through the foreclosure process as a chargeable cost.

The committee also voted to move forward with a proposed $15,000 county contribution to settle litigation filed under the Child Victims Act by Michael Easterbrook. The county attorney described a sequence of procedural victories and appeals that narrowed the county’s exposure and said the recommended payment would come from a designated claims fund set aside for such matters rather than the general fund. The county attorney noted that the plaintiff died during litigation and that some surrogate court steps might be required before the settlement is fully executed.

Finally, the county attorney described a separate request (item 4f) authorizing the county attorney to prepare and file a summons and complaint challenging portions of the State election law and to coordinate with similarly situated counties; staff said the county would likely request an additional appropriation of about $10,000 in 2026 to cover anticipated litigation costs. Committee members agreed to take that matter up in executive session; the committee voted to enter executive session under the Public Officers Law to discuss proposed or pending litigation and to permit the risk manager to remain for that discussion.

Votes at a glance: the committee approved the minutes and all moved resolutions by voice vote on Dec. 5, including the HR transfer, the corrections lieutenants MOA, creation of senior communications officer positions, the proposed residency local law (to be set for public hearing), adoption of the wire transfers/e‑banking policy, the NYSID mail‑fulfillment contract, and the $15,000 settlement recommendation. The committee then voted to enter executive session to discuss litigation.

The committee expects to revisit several items in January, including the withdrawn resolution extending in‑house claims settlement authority to additional departments (staff said the funding will not be available until Jan. 1) and any proposed local law to amend the county code of ethics and board composition after public recruitment for volunteers.