Schuylkill County has brought back its former auditor.
During their weekly meeting Wednesday, the Schuylkill County commissioners approved a professional services agreement for external auditing with Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC, Harrisburg.
The firm will perform the county's annual single audit and the tri-annual audit of the 911 fund. The agreement is for three years, covering the calendar years 2012, 2013 and 2014, and will cost $234,684.
The contract was not open to bid because, under the state's county code, professional services do not require bidding.
The board terminated its external auditing contract with Pottsville accountant Sam Deegan in December. He provided auditing services for the county for the last three years and the county declined the option for a fourth year.
Zelenkofske Axelrod audited county books for 18 years before being replaced by Deegan.
Also Wednesday, salary and hourly rates were set for the lieutenant and two corrections officers hired during the prison board meeting last week.
Brian P. Rice, promoted from a corrections officer to lieutenant, will have a salary of $54,992, which went into effect Monday. Newly appointed corrections officers Justin Bedford, Schuylkill Haven, and Christian Moyer, Ringtown, will have an hourly rate of $17, effective Monday.
After a recommendation from County Sheriff Joseph Groody, the board unanimously voted to promote Rice from a corrections officer to the rank of lieutenant to fill the new position created in January. Moyer was hired to fill the corrections officer position left vacant with the promotion. Bedford was hired to fill an additional vacant corrections officer position.
In other business, the commissioners also approved a service agreement with Northwestern Human Services Pennsylvania for apartment rentals at a per unit rate of $650 per month. Commissioner Gary J. Hess said the agreement will save the county in the long run as the monthly fee will be less than what Children & Youth was paying weekly for hotel room rentals.
The county is looking for bids to furnish medical surgical supplies to Rest Haven. Bids are due in the controller's office by 4 p.m. May 4 and will be opened May 15. An award date was set for June 12.
The board approved the appointments of three members to the Schuylkill County Board of Assessment Appeals: Jackie Dorian, Richard Zula and Mike Wozniski, all of Pottsville. Terms began on Wednesday and end Dec. 31. Each member will be paid $30 per hour.
The courthouse will be closed Friday in accordance to the holiday schedule.