Officials appoint 2 to new positions

They also approved a contract for bridge work.

MERCER, Pa. — Mercer County commissioners appointed have created two positions.

They promoted long-time employee Ruth Bice on Thursday to cost collections coordinator at $32,208 annually. Bice has been employed at the courthouse since 1977, most recently as second deputy in Clerk of Courts Kathy Kloos’ office since 2000.

Kloos said her office took over assessment, collection and distribution of all court costs, fines and restitution from the county prison board January 2006. She said that as coordinator, Bice will track down accounts which are not up-to-date and enforce collection.

Kloos said some of the 17,000 people overseen by cost collections may be behind on payments due to the recent changeover to a new, more complicated system of state software. Kloos said she expects Bice to make the collection system more efficient.

Commissioners also hired John Bunnell of Sharpsville for a new part-time records manager position at $13 per hour. Half his wages will be paid with county Records Improvement Committee funds, which come from recording fees, and half from a state grant.

Commissioner Olivia Lazor said Bunnell is being hired on a temporary basis, but his position might become permanent because of the continuing need for overseeing storage and disposal of county records.

Also Thursday, commissioners:

U Approved a contract with Shingledecker’s Welding Inc., Franklin, for $102,000 for deck replacement on a bridge on Creek Road, French Creek Township. County Engineer Mark Miller said Shingledecker’s was the lowest of four bids, which ranged up to $137,206. He said the work is expected to start June 11 and finish July 20.

U Joined the city of Sharon and the Sharon City School District in forgiving some $4,463 back taxes owed on property at 565 and 575 South Irvine Avenue. The property is now owned by Mercer County Habitat for Humanity.

U Authorized a one-year agreement starting July 1, in which the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau acts as a host agency for a training program for “mature workers” to prepare them for future employment. Lawrence County Social Services will pay the salaries of those placed at the host site.