Committee recommends confirmation of Jared Mills to Maine Civil Service Appeals Board
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Summary
The Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government unanimously recommended Governor Mills' nominee, Jared Mills of Augusta, for appointment to the Maine Civil Service Appeals Board after hearing testimony on his municipal and personnel‑management experience and taking an 11‑0 roll‑call vote with two members absent.
The Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government voted unanimously to recommend the confirmation of Jared Mills of Augusta to the Maine Civil Service Appeals Board.
Mary Anne Tarowski, senior policy adviser to Governor Mills, presented the nomination and described the board as a five‑member, quasi‑judicial body that hears appeals from nonunion employees of the Maine Civil Service System. "On behalf of Governor Mills, I urge you to support his nomination," Tarowski told the committee, noting that no member may be a state employee and that no more than three members may be of the same political party.
Mills, who spoke to the committee, said he brings "nearly 30 years of public service experience," including a 25‑year law enforcement career and roles as assistant city manager, human resources director and, most recently, city manager of Augusta. He told the committee his background gives him perspective on both employee and management sides of public‑sector employment.
Committee members offered personal endorsements during the hearing. Representative Will Toole and others praised Mills' municipal service; Representative Dave Rollins described watching Mills' career evolve from patrol officer to chief and then city manager. Tarowski also said current board members include Arthur Kurekos, Avery Day and Susan Herman and stated that Mills is currently "unenrolled."
Chair Joe Valdache closed the public hearing and explained the committee's obligations under state law, including that a vote to recommend confirmation requires an affirmative motion under Title 3 and 3 MRSA chapter 61, section 157. With no members objecting to taking the vote immediately after the hearing, the clerk conducted a roll call. Of 13 committee seats, 11 members were present; the vote was unanimous in favor of recommending confirmation. The committee will send written notice of its recommendation to the president of the Senate.
Representative Laurie Gramlich made the motion to recommend confirmation. The committee did not receive any in‑room public testimony on the nomination, and no formal opposition was recorded.
