Commissioners vote 4-1 Ross can keep 12K as 'incentive'
BAKERSVILLE – Mitchell County Department of Social Services Director Sara Ross has not moved to Mitchell County, but she will still keep her relocation allocation from the county.
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners at its regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 15, approved its latest consent agenda items by a 4-1 vote.
The consent items included voiding the agreement between the commissioners and Ross to pay her $12,000 in relocation expenses and instead designate the money as an incentive for employment payment.
Ross, who lives in Hendersonville, was hired as Director of Mitchell County Social Services in late 2018 and started in the position Jan. 1. She replaced former Director Paula Holtsclaw.
Ross makes $86,500 annually, and her $12,000 relocation allocation was provided with the stipulation she would relocate to Mitchell County by June 30, 2019.
At the beginning of the meeting, commissioner Jeff Harding made a motion to move the discussion about Ross’ relocation allocation off the consent agenda for further discussion before approving it.
Board vice-chair Matthew “Vern” Grindstaff agreed with Harding’s decision to discuss the issue further, but Chair Danny Burleson and commissioner Jacob Willis voted against Harding’s motion.
Commissioner Steve Pitman, who joined the meeting late, became the deciding vote. After pausing to think for several seconds, Pitman said he was OK with leaving the item as-is on the consent agenda.
The commissioners approved the consent agenda by a 4-1 vote, with Harding as the lone dissenter.