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SOMERSET, Pa. – Somerset County commissioners took on one of the most important jobs in county government Tuesday, hiring a chief clerk after a nine-month search.
But after accepting the resignation of County Treasurer Rebecca Canavan, who has led county budgeting and day-to-day spending oversight for the past 18 years, another key position will need to be filled.
On Tuesday, Scott DeArmitt of Berlin was hired as chief secretary by a 3-0 vote of Commissioners Brian Vochtman, Irv Kimmel Jr. and Commissioner Pamela Toker Ickx.
Mr. Diamit has experience in both private industry and local government. He has spent much of his career working in the tire business for companies such as Hankook and Michelin, working as a training manager and equipment buyer.
He also served as an elected City Council member for eight years and for a time served as mayor pro tem for the Meyersdale Borough before returning to the Berlin area.
“I look forward to working with all three (commissioners) and doing what we can to make our county better,” Dermitt said.
The chief clerk is the highest ranking member of the three-person committee and historically oversees the county’s schedule, assists with bid requirements, prepares meeting agendas, and assists the finance department in annual budget planning. . This role includes serving as secretary of the county retirement board.
As principal secretary, DeArmit will also serve as the right-to-know officer for public records requests.
He will succeed Sonya Augustine, who resigned as executive director in June. He will earn $57,000 a year.
Kimmel and Voigtman said DeArmitt brings a unique skill set to the county, with a background in both business and local government that fits the niche the commissioners are trying to fill. Ta.
“This is an important position for the county,” Tokar-Ickx said.
Voigtman, the county commissioner, said Dermitt is his distant cousin and their great-grandfathers were brothers. In recent days, family relationships have been misrepresented on social media.
Toker-Ickx and Kimmel said Dermitt was unanimously selected by the board because his background and professional experience stand out from other “strong candidates.” Tokar-Ickx said that dating back to late last summer, both the current and former committees have been searching for the right person for the position, without success so far.
“Our search was extensive, and it is a very positive move for the county to secure this position,” Toker Ikes said.
Tokar-Ickx said the county has a nepotism policy that guides the hiring process and addresses potential conflicts of interest, but the policy is designed to target immediate family members such as siblings, children, parents and cousins. He said it was designed to.
Canavan accepts work from planning company
Mr. Canavan’s resignation as finance director is effective April 12.
She will assume a role similar to that of chief financial officer of the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission, the region’s economic development and planning agency.
Canavan, of Portage, described the move as bittersweet and said he accepted a “great opportunity” that would greatly reduce his commute time. “But I’m going to miss all the great people I’ve worked with,” she said. she said.
Canavan said she has told her colleagues that she recognizes the time they put into Somerset County and that they are just a phone call away if they have any questions during the transition.
Tokar Ickx and Voigtman said Canavan and her years of experience will be sorely missed.
“We hate to lose her,” Tokar Ickx said. “But we also recognize that it’s a strong market. It’s very competitive right now.”
Commissioners added that the fact that Mr. Canavan will be working for a multi-county government agency, of which Somerset County is a member, will be a benefit to the region.
Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission Director Stephen Haussale said the commission is thrilled to add Canavan to its management team.
The commission has also been hit hard by the competitive reality of staff shortages, with three administrators, including the former comptroller, leaving in the past year to take state government jobs, he said. .
“We feel very fortunate to have someone of Rebecca’s caliber at Southern Alleghenies,” Haussale said. “After we narrowed the field down to five candidates, she was interviewed and she was head and shoulders above the rest.”
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