Audit to examine Greene County hiring practices
WAYNESBURG — Greene County commissioners approved an agreement Thursday with an outside firm to conduct an audit of the county’s merit-based hiring system.
The independent audit conducted by Felice Associates of Greensburg is geared to ensure hiring practices in Greene County are fair and equitable. Felice Associates will perform the audit at a rate of $150 an hour.
In July 2011, Greene County became one of five counties to switch from a civil service system for hiring human services employees to a merit- based system.
When the civil service underwent government cutbacks, the system experienced a lengthy waiting time to even get a list of qualified applicants, said Karen Bennett, administrator of human services for the county. Also, applicants had to travel to Pittsburgh to take the civil service exam.
The county now uses a web-based application process and anyone wishing to review available positions may visit the county’s website at www.co.greene.pa.us. Applicants also can apply for positions online.
“This new system has opened up the county’s ability to hire good, qualified people for human services positions,” Bennett said.
Bennett added that the personality profile assessment being used was proving to be “very helpful” in matching the most qualified applicants to positions.
She reported the transition from the civil service system had been a fairly easy one, and the audit will ensure the county’s merit-based hiring system is equal across the board.
“This audit is to ensure the interview questions are standardized, with no favoritism,” she added.
In other business, the commissioners approved a change order from Allegheny Restoration of Morgantown, W.Va., in the amount of $46,431 for additional labor and materials to facilitate installation of structural steel, duct work, sprinkler system piping and foam insulation and caulking of the tower clock.
Commissioner Charles Morris reported the work has been completed on the courthouse project, Judge William Nalitz has returned to his chambers and Courtroom No. 1 is in use again.
Allegheny Restoration was awarded the contract for general contracting work for repairs and restoration of the courthouse in September. The entire renovation project cost about $600,000 and is being paid for by state grants and Act 13 natural gas impact fee proceeds allocated for building repair and improvements.
In other business, commissioners issued four proclamations Thursday.
The commissioners proclaimed the week of April 14-20 National Library Week. The proclamation recognizes libraries as the heart of their communities, continuously growing and evolving to assist residents and meeting their needs. County residents are encouraged to visit a local library and take advantage of all the resources available.
As part of National Library Week, Therese Barry, Greene County Library System administrator, announced that local libraries also will offer a “Fine-Free Week” during which any fines on overdue materials will be forgiven.
Accepting the proclamation were Barry; Linda Orsted, director of Flenniken Public Library in Carmichaels; Kathy McClure, director of the Eva K. Bowlby Public Library in Waynesburg; and Mark Carlson, trustee on the Bowlby and county library system boards of directors.
The commissioners also proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This year’s theme is “It’s Time to Talk About It.” The proclamation acknowledges the importance of educating the community about sexual violence prevention, supporting survivors and speaking out against harmful attitudes and actions. The proclamation also supports the public and private efforts to prevent sexual violence and recognizes the impact it has on every community, including Greene County.
Joanna Dragan, supervisor for the Sexual Trauma Treatment and Recovery Services (STTARS) program, presented the commissioners with information related to stopping abuse, as well as teal pins, the color associated with sexual assault awareness.
Accepting the proclamation were Dragan and Renee Presto, STTARS program prevention/education specialist.
The commissioners also issued a proclamation recognizing Lt. Col. Frank Pecjak of Carmichaels, who will be retiring from the U.S. Army Reserves in September after 29 years of service. Pecjak served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005 and in Kuwait from April 2012 to last month. Pecjak will be honored Saturday during a ceremony at the Carmichaels Veterans of Foreign Wars post.
Also, the commissioners proclaimed Tuesday as Equal Pay Day in recognition of the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Equal Pay Act that was intended to eliminate wage disparity between men and women. According to U.S. Census statistics, in 2012, year-round, full-time working women earned 77 percent of the earnings of year-round, full-time working men. April 9 represents the date at which wages paid to American women catch up to the wages paid to men from the previous year.
In another matter, the commissioners approved nine contracts for the this year’s Greene County Fair. The contracts will be paid for through the county fair board’s funding stream.
The contracts were approved for: Dennis Beach Custom Woodcarvings, $7,000: Barnyard Petting Zoo and Pony Rides LLC, $3,500; Fullerton Sound Rental Service, $3,700; Power Pulling Productions LLC, $6,975; The Ruff Creek Band, $1,400; Chris Higbee, $3,500; Croushore’s Championship Demolition Derby, $3,000; Power Pulling Productions LLC, $13,425; and Pro Pulling League, $29,225.
The fair, which will feature the theme of “130 Years of Fair Business,” will be held Aug. 4-10 at the Greene County Fairgrounds.
Commissioners also on Thursday:
n Approved an agreement with Teleosoft Inc. of York for a license and maintenance agreement for the new County Suite software system in the clerk of courts office. The agreement will cost $2,000 a year for maintenance. Clerk of Courts Sherry Wise said the new system will allow her office to scan documents and attach them to the appropriate docket entry.
n Approved a proposal for environmental services from Ronald A. Seevers to conduct an inspection and assessment of any lead-based paint or asbestos in the four hangars scheduled for demolition and removal at the Greene County Airport. The cost of the assessment will be $16,000.
n Approved agreements for the care and maintenance of veterans’ graves in various cemeteries in the county. At a cost of $3 per grave, the total cost for the estimated 3,236 graves will be $9,708, which will be paid from the county’s general fund.
n Accepted the resignation of Douglas Willis from the Greene County Fair board of directors, and appointed Commissioner Blair Zimmerman to the fair board.