Bedford County Salary Board approves personnel wages and appointments

BEDFORD COUNTY — The Bedford County Salary Board on Sept. 11 approved minutes and a package of personnel wages and appointments submitted by department heads, including the naming of a new 911 coordinator and hourly rates for multiple corrections officers.

The board convened immediately after the County Commissioners’ meeting at 10:40 a.m. and completed action within about one minute. Commissioner JR Winck moved to approve the Aug. 13, 2024, minutes; Commissioner Deb Baughman seconded and the board approved the motion.

Under new business, Commissioner Deb Baughman moved and Commissioner JR Winck seconded a single motion to approve wages and appointments recommended by department heads for August. Commissioner Stiles noted that items 8–12 on the personnel list had received longevity increases. The motion passed.

Approved personnel and rates listed in the record include: Ansley Merritt as 911 Coordinator at a salary of $47,000 (effective Aug. 19, 2024); several Bedford County Correctional Facility (BCCF) corrections officers and deputies with hourly rates noted as "per union contract" (examples include $19.28 and $16.50 per hour for various hires); and other hires across the 911 Center, Sheriff’s Office, Tax Assessment and related departments. The record shows Lori Black as HR Director with a salary entry written as "$61,5000" in the transcript; that appears to be a typographical error and is presented here as $61,500.

The meeting record lists full names and effective dates for 19 personnel items approved by the board. The adjournment motion was made by Commissioner Baughman, seconded by Commissioner Winck, and the meeting adjourned at 10:41 a.m. The board scheduled its next meeting for Oct. 8, 2024, unless called sooner.

Items were approved by voice as recorded in the meeting minutes; the transcript does not record individual vote tallies or additional deliberation.