Schuylkill County Administrator Mark Scarbinsky will retire next month.
Scarbinsky, 67, of Saint Clair, has been the county administrator since August 2009. He has been with the county for 17 years, 11 of which were as director of economic development. His retirement was announced at the county commissioners’ work session Wednesday.
“I appreciate the opportunity they afforded me to be in the post of county administrator,” Scarbinsky said Wednesday. “It is certainly an honor to work for them and for the residents of the county.”
Scarbinsky served under both Democratic and Republican controlled boards. When he was appointed, Democrats Mantura M. Gallagher, chairwoman, and Francis V. McAndrew were on the board with Republican Frank J. Staudenmeier.
When Gallagher and McAndrew did not seek another term after 2011, Republican George F. Halcovage Jr. and Democrat Gary J. Hess joined Staudenmeier as commissioners. Last year, Halcovage, who now serves as chairman, Staudenmeier and Hess were re-elected to another four-year term.
Scarbinsky also thanked the county finance department and other employees he has worked with over the years.
“I am very pleased to have worked with such professionals,” Scarbinksy said. “I don’t think we could have been as successful without such a professional team. I have been blessed to have this job.”
Scarbinsky’s retirement will go into effect June 3. He had an annual salary of $98,452.
“It’s an extremely important position,” Halcovage said. “We have a good team here and it is important to do what is best for the county.”
Halcovage said the county is interviewing several candidates to replace Scarbinsky as county administrator.
“The county administrator is the chief operating officer for the county and has a lot of responsibilities,” he said.
The county salary board also voted to promote Paul Fetterolf, Butler Township, the interim director of public works, starting Wednesday. William Liptok, Pottsville, director of public works, is retiring at the end of the month. He had an annual salary of $52,963.74. On June 1, Fetterolf will start as director of public works with a salary of $48,000.
In other news, the commissioners approved an agreement with McClure Co., a PPL Electric Utilities subsidiary based in Harrisburg, to replace the roof at the senior services building at 410 N. Centre St., Pottsville, for $197,740.
The commissioners also issued a proclamation recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month. The proclamation states that more than 40 million Americans of all ages suffer from a mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder and serious emotional disturbances. However, only two out of every three people overcome the fear, prejudice and misunderstanding often associated with mental illness to seek help.
The commissioners’ public meeting next week will be held at 10 a.m. at the Blue Mountain High School auditorium for the annual presentation of the scholar-athlete award.