JOHNSTOWN — Fulton County department heads on Monday requested several new positions Monday, including an account clerk/typist that the county Emergency Management Office feels is “desperately” needed.
“Not everything is getting done in the office, despite our best efforts,” office Director Steven Santa Maria told the Board of Supervisors’ Public Safety Committee.
Santa Maria received committee support for creation of a $32,664 account clerk/typist position in his department, which he termed “really, really important.” The full board will vote Sept. 9 on the position.
He said the workload in the Emergency Management Office continues to increase for reasons that include increased grant administration requirements. He said his department handles eight to nine grants at any given time.
“You know we pretty much survive on the grants we receive,” Santa Maria said.
Other reasons for the position include: increased training for staff, increased planning requirements, expanding duties of the office, increased mandatory drills, legal requirements, and emergency medical services oversight. Santa Maria said getting an EMS plan together is being worked on by his three-person staff.
“Everybody knows we’re working on some type of business plan,” Santa Maria said.
He said he as director is supposed to be working about 70 hours in a two-week period, but in reality is putting in over 100.
Fulton County is currently trying to decide whether to take over EMS services within the county, and seek a Certificate of Need through the state.
Johnstown Town Supervisor Jack Wilson, board chairman, told the committee the county should probably pursue the CON. He said an analysis of the situation is still being accomplished.
“We need to take some responsibility here,” Wilson said.
In other committee business:
∫ Supervisors considered a proposed resolution to create a new full-time legal secretary position for the office of county Public Defender Roger Paul from the county’s 2020 budget. The state would fund the $43,000 cost. The principal legal secretary position would be full-time at 35 hours per week.
∫ Paul also requested authorization to create a $110,654 position and hire a new full-time attorney to cover Gloversville City Court. The full-time assistant public defender will also participate in the rotation schedule of the counsel at first appearance, covering off-hour arraignments.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at [email protected].
