Steuben County confirms Jean Peterson as purchasing director

Steuben County confirmed Jean Peterson as purchasing director after a brief meeting in which county staff recommended her appointment and placement at step 7 above midpoint.

A staff member told the committee that Peterson, who has been serving as the acting director of purchasing, "was the top candidate" following an interview process and recommended appointing her above midpoint at step 7, transcribed in the meeting as "89 8 17." The staff member summarized the candidate review, saying, "Jean definitely stood head and shoulders above." The transcript indicates the pool included three other candidates: one internal and two external.

The chair asked whether the county could find positions for the other finalists; the staff member said two of the three had extensive managerial experience and might not want non-manager roles but that county staff would reach out to encourage them to consider openings. The chair and staff also discussed treating the appointment as if Peterson had the relevant years of experience for salary placement.

A committee member moved to confirm the appointment and a second was given. A voice vote recorded two "Aye" responses and no oppositions or abstentions. The motion to confirm Peterson and to set her appointment above midpoint at step 7 was approved by voice vote. The transcript does not identify the individuals who moved or seconded the motion, nor does it give an exact effective date for the appointment.

Details not specified in the transcript include the precise numeric value of the step-7 salary (the meeting transcript renders it as "89 8 17") and an effective start date for the appointment. The county will need to publish the official personnel action or payroll posting to confirm those specifics.