Wayne County commissioners adopt compensation plan, approve hires and contracts

The Wayne County Commissioners, meeting June 18 in Honesdale, unanimously adopted a county compensation plan, approved a series of hires and promotions across departments, authorized a professional services agreement for the Tax Claim Office and approved county bills totaling $883,085.66.

The board voted to adopt the Wayne County Compensation Plan for Bureau of Talent Acquisition–covered employees effective July 1, 2026. Commissioner Brian W. Smith moved the plan’s adoption and Commissioner James Shook seconded; the motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Smith said the change is part of keeping county staffing competitive and supporting county services.

The commissioners also unanimously approved a Professional Services Agreement with the law firm Spall, Rydzewski, Anderson, Lalley and Krajkovich, PC to provide attorney services for the Wayne County Tax Claim Office from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, at a rate of $85 per hour. Commissioner James Shook made the motion and Commissioner Jocelyn Cramer seconded.

Personnel actions approved during the meeting included hiring Elizabeth Goodman as an Aging Care Manager 2 (effective June 29, 2026); promotions and reclassifications on several Salary Board items (including promotion of Kasean Wiley to Caseworker 1 and promotion of Justin Rivardo from Lieutenant to Captain at the Wayne County Correctional Facility, effective June 21, 2026); and multiple part-time corrections hires converted to full-time or newly hired part-time officers. Commissioner Cramer moved the personnel motions and Commissioner Shook seconded; all were approved unanimously. Commissioner Smith also moved and the board approved adding the title of Captain to the county pay schedule under Scale 13 for the correctional facility.

The board accepted three employee resignations by unanimous motion: Tammy Grey from the Magistrate’s office (effective June 12, 2026), Marko Anticev, Children and Youth Caseworker (effective May 22, 2026), and Sheriff’s Deputy Benjamin Swartz (effective July 1, 2026).

Commissioner Smith moved approval of the bills as presented, which included Checks No. 140694 through 140785 and additional Human Services and BDPEI items. The General Fund list showed a tabulated total of $883,085.66. The motion carried unanimously.

Actions taken at the June 18 meeting were routine and unanimous; several items required temporary recesses to hold Salary Board sessions to process hires and promotions. The meeting adjourned after a brief executive session on real estate matters.

Votes at a glance - Approve minutes (June 11, 2026): motion by Commissioner Cramer; second by Commissioner Shook; outcome: unanimous. - Professional Services Agreement (Tax Claim Office): motion by Commissioner Shook; second by Commissioner Cramer; outcome: unanimous; term July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027; rate $85/hour. - Adopt Wayne County Compensation Plan (Bureau of Talent Acquisition): motion by Commissioner Smith; second by Commissioner Shook; outcome: unanimous; effective July 1, 2026. - Amend 2021 Cooperation Agreement re RACP Project No. 2566-00 (grant compliance access to Lot 3, Sterling Business Park): motion by Commissioner Cramer; second by Commissioner Smith; outcome: unanimous. - Multiple hires and promotions (see minutes for effective dates): motions by Commissioners Cramer/Shook/Smith as indicated; outcome: unanimous. - Approval of bills for payment (Checks No. 140694–140785 et al.): motion by Commissioner Smith; outcome: unanimous; General Fund total listed $883,085.66.

The board’s minutes record unanimous support for the day’s administrative and personnel items; no contested votes or motions were recorded at the June 18 meeting.