COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners Tuesday approved Prosecutor Valerie White’s request to fill the vacant full time felony clerk position in her office, but whoever is hired will have to start at the new hire rate of $12.77.
The G.E.L.C. Tier Two Level Six position will get a new hire benefit package.
The previous felony clerk agreed to resign effective May 20, 2019 after she was placed on leave.
White said in her letter to commissioners that the most senior support staff member has only been in the office and the legal field for just over three months, and that they have neither the staff to train a new person nor the time to get a new-to-the-legal-field person up to speed.
She requested the authority to hire someone up to the amount currently paid to the felony clerk at $19.95 an hour.
But Commissioners felt that person should start at the new hire rate. It was pointed out during last weeks work session that other departments have experienced the same problem White is facing.
White said there was no way she was going to find someone with legal experience at the $12.77 an hour rate.
But Commissioner Don Vrablic said they are stuck between a rock and hard place thanks to the Tier Two pay system in place for the county. He added they are looking to replace it.
Commissioners understood the spot White was in and Vrablic told her that if she came up with an alternative solution they would listen to it.
