By JIM RUNKLE

jrunkle@lockhaven.com

LOCK HAVEN - On Thursday, the Clinton County commissioners reluctantly accepted the suspension of the county director of court services and affirmed two related court appointments - each with no change in salaries.

For the commissioners, the decisions are placed well out of their control because they involve the county Court of Common Pleas.

Last month, county President Judge J. Michael Williamson suspended Gerald Rosamilia in his roles as court services director, director of domestic relations and chief probation officer.

The move was the result of a dispute between the judge and Rosamilia, with Williamson saying Rosamilia exhibited "contemptuous conduct" in refusing to meet with the judge and "witnesses" despite repeated requests.

Neither Williamson nor Rosamilia have publicly commented on the dispute.

Rosamilia's position as county director of Children and Youth is not affected because it falls under the executive - not judicial - branch of county government. He continues to work out of his office in The Garden Building in that role.

The termination apparently left the county board with a dilemma: How to shift compensation in accordance with the shifts in administrative positions.

On Thursday, the commissioners sidestepped that issue by saying all salaries remain the same, hoping that no unnecessary requests came down the pike, especially given the critical nature of this year's budget review.

The board has said it's facing a $2.8 million revenue deficit walking into this year's effort to create a 2010 fiscal package for county government.

In three successive actions, the board:

n Confirmed the termination of Rosamilia as director of court services, adult probation officer, chief juvenile probation officer and director of domestic relations, effective Oct. 1 at no salary change.

n Confirmed the appointment of Jason Foltz as chief adult and juvenile probation officer effective that same date at no salary change.

n Confirmed the appointment of Colleen Wise as director of Domestic Relations effective the same date with no salary change.

Rosamilia's suspension only applies to his responsibilities as an employee of the local judicial branch of government, in other words, those supervised by Judge Williamson.

Court Administrator Miles Kessinger was designated acting director of court services and will be responsible for all budgetary and financial matters involving probation and domestic relations, as well as all other matters normally handled by the director of court services.

Rosamilia's salary is listed as $95,792; Colleen Wise is listed as $53,703 and Jason Foltz is listed as $45,932.

"I want to thank Gerry for doing an excellent job," Commissioner Joel Long said. "His structuring of the many departments has saved the county a great deal of money."

The commissioners said Rosamilia, who has held many roles in county government for decades, created a mix system of court and administrative services that sought to balance the needs of the community with duties of increasing complexity and cost.

"The decision has been handed down to us and we had no role or responsibility in that process," Commissioner Adam Coleman said. Coleman said he believes Rosamilia's duties in Children and Youth comprised about 75 percent of his full responsibilities before the suspension.

When asked about any shift in compensation, Long said, "I don't anticipate anything," and Coleman added that no request for a salary board meeting has been handed to county government by the judicial branch.

"I hope it doesn't have an impact on our budget," Coleman said. "That'd be like clawing us from the inside."

"This was a unique arrangement," Long added, "and I'm not in favor of looking at any arrangement that costs the county more money at this time."

Rosamilia will continue to supervise Children and Youth, which is charged with the responsibility of investigating and handling child abuse and neglect cases and has approximately 16 full- and part-time employees.