LOCK HAVEN — Former Clinton County Director of Voter Registrations-Elections Maria Boileau, who will serve as a Lock Haven City Planning Director starting Monday, has been re-hired by the county as a part-time elections advisor at $37.50 per hour not exceeding 100 hours, a rate that sparked ire from one community member.

Boileau’s salary was calculated at time and a half her previous salary as the county’s voter registrar and deputy chief clerk.

“To us, it’s worth that rate of pay,” said Commissioner Pete Smeltz at Thursday’s meeting.

Community member Richard Morris said he did not feel the same way.

“I will continue to feel as a taxpayer that I’m having a gun held to my head,” he said regarding the decision to hire Boileau at the proposed salary.

“I guess we’re going to agree to disagree on this issue,” responded Commissioner Jeff Snyder.

Snyder said that the upcoming election will be very important.

“We just have to, in my opinion, do everything that we can do to make sure this election runs smoothly,” he said.

Morris was not convinced. He said he believed hiring Boileau at the proposed rate would cost taxpayers more money.

Smeltz explained that hiring Boileau as elections advisor would not cost taxpayers any additional money because the acting director of voter registrations-elections, Leah Mothersbaugh, makes “far less” than Boileau did, commensurate with her experience.

He said that, in fact, the county may even have surplus money from paying Mothersbaugh and Boileau’s new salaries.

Commissioner Paul Conklin explained that it was “necessary” for the City to hire Boileau in advance of the November election so that she could complete a special job training that is only offered this time of year.

“She didn’t have to offer to help us,” he said.

Snyder added that with Boileau’s help, the commissioners are no longer worried about managing the upcoming election.

“I am glad that you can sleep well at night while you shove your hands into taxpayers’ pockets,” said Morris.

After the heated discussion, Smeltz said, “I think we’ve beat that subject amply.”

In other personnel matters Thursday, the commissioners approved the hiring of Kathy Nearhood as the full-time second deputy treasurer with a salary of $25,795.

“I think she’ll be a good fit,” said treasurer Michelle Kunes.

Also Thursday, the commissioners approved the hiring of Sierra Saunders, a student at Lock Haven University, as a part-time caseworker in Children and Youth Services at $11.50 per hour, not to exceed 1,000 hours.

“We’re excited to have her as part of the team,” said Assistant Director Autumn Bower. “It just seems to be a natural fit for her to do this work.”

Pending Saunders’ performance, CYS will offer her a full-time position after three months.

The commissioners also confirmed the hiring of Laurel Zerbe as a full-time food service worker at the county prison with a salary of $23,397.