Bedford County Salary Board amends compensation plan, approves hires and wage adjustments

The Bedford County Salary Board on Jan. 13, 2026, amended the county’s Compensation Plan to take effect Jan. 1, 2026, in a 3‑1 vote and approved a slate of hires and wage adjustments for county positions, board minutes show.

The action on the amended compensation plan was moved by Melissa Cottle and seconded by Commissioner Winck. Commissioners Stiles, Baughman and Cottle voted yes; Commissioner Winck voted no. Winck said he opposed the raise because “he has a hard time personally voting for a pay raise for elected officials, noting the pay raise from 2008 to 2016,” and expressed concerns about the impact on taxpayers if taxes must rise. Commissioner Baughman responded that the wage levels were set by elected officials in 2022 and that the increases are required by code for the full term; Commissioner Stiles said he could not deny county employees the increases given current pay levels.

In the same session the board approved a motion — moved by Commissioner Winck and seconded by Commissioner Baughman — to confirm wages or union contract rates and appointments for a list of personnel covering November/December and several effective dates in 2025–2026. The approvals recorded in the minutes include (position — salary/effective date when listed): Melissa Bergman, 2nd Assistant District Attorney — $75,000 (12/11/25); Todd Kifer, full‑time deputy sheriff — $17.00/hr per contract (10/10/25); Steven Kagarise, part‑time deputy sheriff — $19.45/hr per contract (1/14/23); Stephen Simon, part‑time deputy sheriff — $18.39/hr per contract (3/23/23); Steve Roudabush, part‑time deputy sheriff — $18.39/hr per contract (1/14/23); Glen Caradori, part‑time deputy sheriff — $19.45/hr per contract (4/12/25) and also listed as full‑time Chief Deputy — $50,960/yr (effective 1/5/26); Christopher Collins, part‑time deputy — $18.39/hr (3/18/25); Joshua Eltman, telecommunicator, 911 — $15.82/hr (12/22/25); Jennifer Gardner, clerk typist I, MDJ Bedford — $12.25/hr (1/5/26); Emma Davis, clerk typist I, Prothonotary — $12.80/hr (1/5/26); Amy Norris, grant administrator, Planning — $51,500/yr (1/5/26); Carrie Wiser‑Borosky, LPN, BCCF — $26.50/hr (1/5/26); Brittany McConnell, EMS/911 Director — $65,000/yr (1/5/26); Nicole Abbott, Director of Tax Assessment — $45,760/yr (1/5/26); David Bithell, part‑time lieutenant, BCCF — $20.00/hr (1/5/26); Brian Kaszubski, part‑time sheriff’s deputy — $18.25/hr (1/5/26); Elizabeth Gehman, part‑time sheriff’s deputy — $16.50/hr (1/12/26); and Caitlyn Deffibaugh, full‑time sheriff’s deputy — $16.50/hr (1/12/26). The minutes state the motion was approved but do not record individual vote tallies for that item.

Why it matters: the amendment alters the effective date for a countywide compensation package that includes elected officials and county employees; one commissioner raised budget and taxpayer‑impact concerns while others said the increases stem from decisions made in 2022 and are required by code for the elected‑official term.

The meeting, which began at 10:18 a.m. following the Commissioners’ meeting, adjourned at 10:23 a.m. The minutes list multiple county staff in attendance, including Debra Brown, chief clerk; Stephanie Clevenstine, director of planning; Lori Black, director of human services; and others. The next meeting was scheduled for Feb. 10, 2026, unless called sooner by the Board of Commissioners.