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Retired 911 manager accuses county of denying promised bonuses; commissioners pledge review
Summary
Retired deputy director Beth Hutchins told Lycoming County commissioners that newly hired 911 staff were promised a $5,000 sign-on/retention bonus, and alleged county leadership is now withholding the $2,000 portion due after one year; commissioners apologized for an earlier reaction, defended recent HR changes, and said they will research the claims.
A retired Lycoming County deputy director and former 911 manager, Beth Hutchins, used public comment to sharply criticize county leadership’s handling of 911 staffing, pay grades and promised retention bonuses, and warned that continued turnover threatens emergency communications.
Hutchins said two 911 hires (named in her remarks as Megan Strozner and Adam Malek) were promised a $5,000 sign-on and retention bonus when hired in July 2024, with $1,000 paid during training stages and $2,000 due one year after final training sign-off. "They're hard to keep, and now you're shorting them their $2,000 bonus at the end of their one year for staying there," Hutchins said, arguing that cancelling that promised bonus harms morale and retention.
Hutchins also described pay-grade changes implemented in January that raised entry-level pay to $23 an hour while altering supervisory and manager pay grades; she said those adjustments, paired with denial of the promised bonus and refusal to allow experienced retirees to remain part time, have created a staffing crisis and led to resignations.
Commissioner (S6) apologized for his earlier reaction to Hutchins’ comments and said the board would look into the specific allegations. "I apologize to the board, I apologize to the residents and anybody watching online," the commissioner said during public response, then defended recent hires and HR changes as part of transition under new leadership. Chair (S1) said he will research Hutchins’ claims and stand behind employees who do not meet duties, adding commissioners want to work with staff and the community.
Todd Winder, a fire chief and EMS Council vice chair, later told the board the comm center is understaffed and urged action to address burnout and mental-health impacts on dispatchers; he praised Hutchins and comm-center staff for saving lives.
What happens next: Commissioners pledged to research Hutchins’ specific claims about promised bonuses and pay-grade impacts and invited Hutchins to meet with county leadership. No formal policy change or reversal was recorded at the meeting; the board asked staff to investigate and report back.
