Allegany County approves multiple public‑safety staffing fills to ease workload
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Summary
The county board approved requests to fill vacancies in the district attorney—s, public defender—s, conflict defender—s, probation and sheriff—s offices, with several positions funded by grants or state funds; officials said the hires will address discovery burdens and operational gaps.
Acting District Attorney Peter Degnan told the Allegany County Public Safety Committee the DA—s office is upgrading its accounting system and reviewing several years of old files, creating variation in reported violations, and that the office "does need a paralegal" to help manage voluminous discovery and ease the burden on prosecutors. Degnan said the extra support would allow attorneys to "go to court, have everything lined up more effectively, and really more effectively prosecute their cases."
The board moved and carried the DA—s request to fill a paralegal slot. The transcript records the motion and the chaircalling for ayes; the motion was approved by the committee (the transcript does not include a full roll‑call of votes).
Public Defender J.R. Santana Carter asked the board to approve filling a recently vacated junior accountant position to assist the public defender—s office and the conflicts office with grant‑claiming and accounting duties. "I ask for your approval," Santana Carter said, adding that the treasurer—s office will continue to provide support and that the position is expected to be covered by state funds. The committee approved that request.
Conflict Defender Michael Regan told the board his office lost a paralegal and an office aid and will soon lose a case manager. Regan said the paralegal and case manager positions are full time and, citing the county treasurer—s office, that "all these positions are fully funded by indigent legal services." The committee approved three requests tied to those vacancies: a legal services case manager, a paralegal and a temporary part‑time office aide.
Probation Director Scott Grantier asked the board to approve filling a probation officer assistant position included in the 2026 budget; the board approved the request.
Sheriff Scott Cicarello asked the committee to promote a corrections officer to deputy sheriff to fill a budgeted vacancy and to ensure staffing ahead of anticipated retirements; the motion was approved. Cicarello described the promoted post as a working deputy who will perform jail and deputy functions.
Board members and department leaders repeatedly emphasized that some positions are grant‑funded and that, if grant money disappears, the positions would be reviewed. The transcript consistently records motions as "carried" but does not include a complete roll‑call for each vote.
What happens next: Departments will proceed with recruitment and hiring; managers said they would notify the board if grant funding changes or if hires would affect the county budget.
