Commissioners discuss creating position for HR

The director of administrative services wears many hats and may be retiring soon.
MERCER, Pa. -- Creation of a human resources director position for Mercer County is being considered.
Mercer County Commissioner Brian Beader said Tuesday at the commissioners' chief clerk's meeting that he would like to staff such a position because, "much of what we do here is crisis management."
He explained that ever-changing federal and state rules affect county staffing and a full-timer could keep abreast of the changes and would have the time to attend safety seminars, which would reduce the county's insurance rates.
Currently personnel is only one of the many areas under the jurisdiction of Bill Boyle, county director of administrative services. Hired as personnel director in 1994, Boyle has taken on more and more duties over the years.
He took over purchasing in 1995, and in 2001 assumed responsibility for building and grounds maintenance. He also oversees the county motor pool and other areas, such as records storage.
In addition, Beader said Boyle also will be in charge of several capital improvement projects this summer.
Boyle also is supposed to rework the county pay chart this year and will assist in start-up of the courthouse's new computer system.
Should advertise
Beader is worried that the county will have a difficult time replacing Boyle when he retires because of the many hats he wears. Boyle will be 65 next year.
Beader suggested advertising the position now, even though the job hasn't actually been created, but Commissioner Olivia Lazor said advertising before the job is available is "not fair." She added the issue is a personnel matter and needs to be discussed in executive session. Commissioner Michele Brooks did not attend Tuesday's session because of an illness in the family.