Barrow County’s hiring freeze has begun to thaw. The Barrow County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday night to establish a search committee for a new fire chief and to give Chairman Danny Yearwood the authority to fill vacancies for emergency services personnel and for summer recreation employees.
Barrow to hire new fire chief
The search committee for a new fire chief will be appointed at the board’s next meeting on April 28. It will include Yearwood, four people appointed by him, plus Brown.
The BOC also agreed, after lengthy debate and a couple of votes, to endorse Sheriff Jud Smith’s grant application for $2.5 million in federal funding to hire 20 deputies, detention officers and investigators over the next couple of years. The sheriff wants to fill six positions that have remained open due to the hiring freeze and to hire 14 new personnel.
The board struggled with Smith’s request because the county would have to pick up the costs of the new personnel at the end of the 36-month grant period.
After initially voting to endorse a grant application with only half of the 20 positions Smith said he wants, the board came back after their 45-minute executive session and voted to go along with his full grant request.
In the other personnel request, Human Resources Director Norma Jean Brown told the board that there are six part-time and five full-time open positions for paramedics. The seasonal positions in Leisure Services are for a lifeguard and for part-time workers in the summer day camp, which generates revenue for the county.
With the board’s vote, Yearwood now will be able to fill those positions without having to bring them to the full board.
The BOC also agreed, after lengthy debate and a couple of votes, to endorse Sheriff Jud Smith’s grant application for $2.5 million in federal funding to hire 20 deputies, detention officers and investigators over the next couple of years. The sheriff wants to fill six positions that have remained open due to the hiring freeze and to hire 14 new personnel.
The board struggled with Smith’s request because the county would have to pick up the costs of the new personnel at the end of the 36-month grant period.
After initially voting to endorse a grant application with only half of the 20 positions Smith said he wants, the board came back after their 45-minute executive session and voted to go along with his full grant request.
In the other personnel request, Human Resources Director Norma Jean Brown told the board that there are six part-time and five full-time open positions for paramedics. The seasonal positions in Leisure Services are for a lifeguard and for part-time workers in the summer day camp, which generates revenue for the county.
With the board’s vote, Yearwood now will be able to fill those positions without having to bring them to the full board.
I wasn't surprise the three remaining commissioners from the Garrison administration couldn't figure it out, but I was surprise that Elder and Worley voted for the 10. What the %%% were you thinking -- must voted with the majority! Can't have a split vote!
Thank goodness, someone (Larry) was able to talk some sense into you mindless wonders.