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Steuben County Council rejects new highway laborer position, approves temporary help and seasonal mowers
Summary
The council approved temporary help funded by auction revenue and an $11,000 seasonal mower appropriation but voted down a motion to create a new full‑time highway laborer position, with the laborer motion failing 3–4 on May 14, 2019.
Steuben County Council members on May 14, 2019 approved a temporary‑help appropriation funded by recent auction revenue and an $11,000 seasonal mower appropriation, but rejected a proposal to create a new full‑time highway laborer post.
Council President Richard Shipe called the special meeting to order in Angola. Highway Engineer Jennifer Sharkey and Highway Superintendent Emmett Heller asked the council to approve several additional appropriations for the Highway Department. The council approved a $7,350 temporary‑help appropriation (1176‑531‑1000.16) to be funded by online auction proceeds, which Sharkey said covered short‑term staffing needs.
Sharkey then presented a request to create one new full‑time laborer position and associated benefits and line‑item appropriations through the remainder of 2019. Emmett Heller described past reliance on part‑time staff and said a previously employed part‑time laborer, Eric, had the welding and fabrication skills that proved valuable; Heller said Eric might return if the position were authorized. Council members questioned whether the work would continue once current truck builds finished; Heller said he planned to buy two trucks per year and anticipated ongoing work.
After discussion, the motion to create the full‑time laborer position failed. The roll call recorded three ayes (Richard Shipe, Linda Hansen, Ken Shelton) and four nays (Ruth Beer, Wil Howard, Dan Caruso, Jim Getz).
Separately, the council approved a $11,000 additional appropriation for seasonal mowers to cover two employees working 28 hours per week for four months; that motion carried 6–1 with Ruth Beer casting the lone nay.
The council adopted Additional Appropriation Resolution No. 05‑2019‑01, which summarizes requested and approved personal services totals for the Highway Department (the record lists $31,357.89 requested in personal services and $18,350 approved in personal services in the resolution document). The resolution as adopted appears in the official minutes.