Etowah Commission looking at options for personell director

The Etowah County Commission is looking at other options for a personnel director, including eliminating the position.  County Chief administrative officer Patrick Simms, suggested to the commission that they restructure the position, letting him handle those duties.  Simms said he has held human resources jobs along with his administrative officer positions in other counties, and has the responsibility of both.  The job has been vacant since the former personnel director was arrested and later resigned. Jennifer Taylor was arrested in October and charged with identity theft and computer tampering. At least 17 people submitted applications for the job, which requires a college degree and at least five years’ human resources experience supervising at least 100 employees. Simms said a wage analysis shows the starting salary should be in the low 40’s. The commission last week discussed starting the salary at $40,000. Simms said that money could be saved and could be designated for industrial development for the Canoe Creek development near Pleasant Valley Road and Interstate 59. He said employees in the personnel department have a lot of experience dealing with issues such as payroll and benefits and other personnel items. He said he could serve as a supervisor for those employees, and still call for assistance if needed from retired Personnel Director Mike Naugher, who was hired as a consultant after Taylor’s arrest.