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Berkeley County approves consent agenda, hires staff and 378 poll workers for upcoming elections
Summary
The commission unanimously approved the consent agenda containing multiple personnel actions — hires, step increases and resignations — and accepted a list of 378 poll workers with specified pay rates for early voting, training and Election Day.
Berkeley County commissioners on April 30 approved a consent agenda that included multiple hiring recommendations, personnel status changes and an election staffing list for upcoming voting events.
President G. Edgar Gochenour read hiring and status-change recommendations submitted by department heads. Actions recorded in the consent packet included hiring Nicole Fuhrmann as a Peer Recovery Coach at an annual salary of $43,135 (effective May 11, 2026); hiring Stephen Lemay and George Penny as part-time DRC drivers at $17.83 per hour (effective May 6 and May 1, 2026, respectively); a retroactive salary increase for Deputy Jessica Baldridge (from $64,445 to $67,668, effective April 1, 2026) and a step increase for Jason Owens (from $46,956 to $48,834, effective May 1, 2026). The packet also included resignations and other typical status changes.
The County Clerk's list of 378 poll workers was presented. The pay rates stated in the record are $20.00 per hour for early voting, $50 for training and $250 for Election Day. Two named individuals, Robert Gochenour and Phillip Chrisman, were listed to receive $20 per hour for updating and testing voting machines; a "Messenger" position was listed at $45 and a "Ride Back" at $15 extra.
Commissioner James P. Whitacre moved to approve the consent agenda; Vice President R. Stephen Catlett seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
The record does not specify which of the listed poll workers are assigned to particular precincts or the total cost estimate for the election staffing; the County Clerk's office will administer assignments and payroll consistent with county policy.
