Luzerne County’s human resources department published a report on raises given to non-union workers in 2024 under the supervision of the county manager on Monday.
Most of the increases were 2.5%, although some got 2% or no raise.
The raises were based on performance reviews of the employees.
County Manager Romilda Crocamo stressed that the raises were included in the budget approved by the county council.
“We stayed within those budget limits,” Crocamo said.
Crocamo said that the increases in non-union compensation show that the administration and council acknowledge the work done by these employees.
“By increasing non-union salaries, the administration and council seek to create a positive work environment, improve employee morale, and attract and retain top talent,” she said. “The decision to raise non-union wages demonstrates the council’s commitment to fair compensation practices and ensuring that all employees are fairly paid for their work.”
The employees and their new compensation with the percentage increase:
• Council
Sharon Lawrence, council clerk, $46,899 (2.5%)
• County Manager
Michele Sparich, grant writer, $59,185 (2.5%)
Jennifer Thomas, executive administrative assistant, $50,557 (2.5%)
• Human Resources
Jessica Beishline, human resources director, $92,147 (2.5%)
Neva Colella, HR generalist, $44,789 (2.5%)
Cynthia Kluk, HR generalist, $43,050 (2.5%)
• Budget and Finance
Peggy Baloga, internal audit clerk, $45,138 (2%)
Erin Chiogna, budget and policy clerk, $36,778 (2%)
Lee Ann Holub, bank rec clerk, $31,202 (2%)
Mary Roselle, budget/finance division head, $117,875 (2.5%)
• Assessors
Kristin Montgomery, director of assessments, $62,730 (2.5%)
• Treasurer
Laura Beers, office manager, $60,892 (2.5%)
David Muroski, accountant, $61,206 (2.5%)
• Mapping
Daniel Reese, GIS director, $66,764 (2.5%)
Patrick Farrell Sine, senior GIS analyst, $52,275 (2.5%)
• Purchasing
Mary Ann Amesbury, purchasing director, $57,053 (2.5%)
• Solicitor
Patrick Della Valle, solicitor, $72,498 (2.5%)
Mackenzie Gagliardi, executive secretary, $44,956 (2.5%)
Mark Makowski, solicitor, $71,233 (2.5%)
Paula Radick, solicitor, $67,252 (2.5%)
Harry Skene, chief county solicitor, $100,890 (2.5%)
• Public Defender
Alison Evans, office administrator, $46,304 (2.5%)
Bruce Reddock, chief investigator, $66,625 (2.5%)
Randy Shaw, deputy chief investigator, $49,908 (2.5%)
Joseph Yeager, chief public defender, $105,194 (2.5%)
• Recorder of Deeds
Mary K. Dysleski, recorder of deeds/register of wills manager, $61,301 (2.5%)
• Planning and Zoning
Priscilla Cuevas, planning/zoning analyst, $47,047 (2.5%)
Matthew Jones, planning/zoning director, $68,250 (2.5%)
Jonathan Shaw, transportation planner, $50,706 (2.5%)
• Information Technology
Peter Ackourey, network administrator, $56,161 (2%)
Jeffrey Bennett, IT analyst, $62,424 (2%)
Matthew Hannon, information security analyst, $56,181 (2%)
Jordan Hine, network administrator 2, $53,040 (2%)
Edward E. James III, IT service manager, $62, 424 (2%)
Peter Charles Triolo, help desk technician, $43,697 (2%)
• Building and Grounds
Carla Alber, executive secretary, $35,893 (2%)
• Boiler Plant
Robert Richard Dudick, mechanical systems engineer, $40,508 (2.5%)
• Coroner
Joseph Jacobs, chief deputy coroner, $49,831 (2.5%)
Kaitlin Keating-Storz, senior field investigator/autopsy assistant, $41,000 (2.5%)
Jillian Matthews, coroner, $65866 (2.5%)
• Prothonotary
Michelle Bednar, prothonotary/clerk of courts manager, $54,325 (2.5%)
Joan Hoggarth, judicial services and records division head, $96,862 (2.5%)
James Jesikiewicz, fiscal supervisor, $42,429 (2%)
• Sheriff
Genesis Arias, lieutenant, $44,983 (2%)
Ryan Foy, lieutenant, $50,894 (2.5%)
Eugene Gurnari, chief deputy sheriff, $59,594 (2.5%)
Brian Szumski, sheriff, $68,635 (2.5%)
Alfred Walsh, lieutenant, $44,983 (2%)
• DA Highway and DUI
Rebecca Rybak, highway safety education coordinator, $40,838 (2%)
• Corrections Administration
Karen Krzysik, budget/finance analyst, $48,348 (2.5%)
Deborah Schloss, administrative assistant, $38,391 (2.5%)
James Wilbur, correctional services division head, $96,862 (2.5%)
Patricia Yudichak, executive secretary, $37,638 (2.5%)
• Prison Minimal Offenders Unit
Stanley Betkoski, lieutenant, $66,903 (2.5%)
Kaitlyn Romiski, lieutenant, $66,856 (2%)
Fred White III, lieutenant, $68,179 (2.5%)
• County Correctional Facility
Francis Aigeldinger, records captain, $69,003 (2.5%)
John Brawley, lieutenant, $69,578 (2.5%)
Ronald Bronsburg, captain, $67,650 (2.5%)
Michael Konycki, lieutenant, $64,575 (2.5%)
Dwayne McDavitt, lieutenant, $64,575 (2.5%)
Sean Mulhearn, classification specialist, $40,692 (2.5%)
Christina Oprishko, treatment coordinator, $54,453 (2.5%)
John Robshaw, deputy warden, $75,276 (2.5%)
Thomas Wall, captain, $69,003 (2.5%)
• 911
Brian Black, training and quality assurance coordinator, $63,038 (2.5%)
William Ives, deputy director, $74,825 (2.5%)
Ryan Thomas Kane, PSAP supervisor, $54,519 (2%)
Gina Krone, PSAP manager, $71,750 (2.5%)
Frank Lasiewicki, technical support supervisor, $58,425 (2.5%)
Stephen McDaniels, PSAP supervisor, $58,589 (2.5%)
Christopher Meeker, radio support coordinator, $62,012 (2.5%)
Patricia Petriga, lead PSAP supervisor, $61,200 (2%)
Kai Riddick, PSAP supervisor, $53,550 (2%)
Jacob Schmitt, PSAP supervisor, $55,780 (2.5%)
David Skoronski, Next Gen 911 GIS manager, $72,775 (2.5%)
Barbara Wesley, training and protocol supervisor, $57,120 (2%)
Andrew Zahorsky, technical support manager, $68,004 (2.5%)
• Emergency Management
Timothy Chase, emergency planning specialist, $35,876 (2.5%)
David Elmore, deputy director, $55,006 (2.5%)
Charles Krommes, emergency management planner, $38,257 (2.5%)
Ronald Smith, Act 165 coordinator, $39,729 (2.5%)
• Road and Bridge
Kevin Clocker, road and bridge project manager, $61,500 (2.5%)
• Veteran Affairs
James Spagnola, director, $59,681 (2.5%)
• Community Development
Michelle Fennell, housing manager, $51,426 (2.5%)
Catherine Hilsher, executive director, $87,125 (2.5%)
Mark Hurst, municipal projects manager, $53,711 (2.5%)
Jay Zupa, public service manager, $48,710 (2%)
• Convention and Visitors Bureau
Sarah Harris, sales and marketing director, $55,934 (2.5%)
Rachel Linso, membership and marketing coordinator, $42,025 (2.5%)
Gaye Nowak, office coordinator, $32,792 (2.5%)
Alan K. Stout, leader, $67,957 (2.5%)
• Area Agency on Aging
James Cease, IT specialist head, $61,249 (2.5%)
Timothy Farrell, financial officer 3, $67,435 (2.5%)
Susan Harding, care manager leader 2, $65,281 (2%)
Brian McAdarra, care manager leader 2, $50,184 (2.5%)
Sheila Rothenbecker, office helper 1, $38,035 (2.5%)
Mary Schell, care manager leader 3, $60,681 (2.5%)
Connie Wright, care manager leader 2, $48,960 (2%)
• Children and Youth
Heather Asay, caseworker leader 2, $60,343 (2%)
Donna Domiano, caseworker leader 2, $73,338 (2%)
Ellen Dymond, office helper, $54,810 (2%)
Georgine Faux, office executive 1, $51,403 (2%)
Rachel Finnegan, lawyer 2, $60,186 (2.5%)
Paul Galante, supervising lawyer 3, $80,227 (2%)
Tara Golomb, office supervisor 2, $39,535 (2%)
Katrina Gownley, leader, $92,250 (2.5%)
Christopher Harrison, lawyer 2, $63,540 (2.5%)
David Maslowski, network expert 2, $49,939 (2%)
Nicholas Seaman, lawyer 2, $59,892 (2%)
William Urbanski, lawyer 2, $59,892 (2%)
• Mental Health/Developmental Services
Tara Fox, MH/DS leader, $84,038 (2.5%)
Joan Kaminski, office helper 2, $56,875 (2.5%)
Amy Tomkoski, deputy leader 2, $68,432 (2.5%)
• Human Services
Jonathan Bates, financial officer 3, $66,300 (2%)
Alicia Govens, financial officer 2, $56,980 (2.5%)
David Green, financial officer 2, $56,980 (2.5%)
Lynn Hill, human services group head, $103,797 (2.5%)
Caitlyn Holland, financial officer 3, $67,957 (2.5%)
Crystal Jennings, budget expert 1, $43,137 (2.5%)
James Kolojejchick, program coordinator, $51,540 (2.5%)
Charyl Nagy, HR business partner, $53,300 (2.5%)
Susan Nat, office helper, $42,911 (2.5%)
Maria Pavlick, financial analyst, $53,539 (2.5%)
Joseph Unvarsky, upkeep/facilities coordinator, $38,077 (2.5%)
• Drug and Alcohol
Pamela Coveleski, financial officer, $61,018 (2.5%)
Michael Gagliardi, assistant leader, $62,730 (2.5%)
Michelle Galey, case management specialist, $46,265 (2.5%)
Joy Gavrish, case management specialist, $44,031 (2.5%)
Bianca Gibbons, case management specialist, $43,380 (2.5%)
Ryan Hogan, leader, $79,706 (2.5%)
Dawn McQuiston, case management specialist, $43,814 (2.5%)
Jill Sprau, case management supervisor, $53,094 (2.5%)
Controller, District Attorney
County Controller Walter Griffith provided a 2.5% raise to one employee — internal auditor Melissa Jones — because she moved into a different position with additional responsibilities, he said. Her new compensation is $39,695, the report said.
County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce provided 5% increases with one exception. Brian Sarafinko, the auto theft task force operator, received 7.88%, bringing his compensation to $60,000, the report said. Sanguedolce said this position is fully funded by an outside grant and that the compensation was necessary to bring Sarafinko’s compensation more in line with the amount paid to counterparts in other counties.
Sanguedolce said he had submitted the 5% compensation increases in his budget as part of ongoing employee retention efforts.
“We’re just trying to keep the wages competitive so we stop losing employees,” he said.
The district attorney emphasized that he always manages spending within the budget and depends on various sources of funding to cover staffing costs, including grants, state stipends, drug forfeitures, county funds, and others.
The non-union employees of the district attorney are getting 5% raises, as stated in the county report, along with their new salaries:
Kelley Conner, executive assistant, $49,350
Patricia Courtney, executive secretary, $46,200
Chester Dudick, deputy district attorney, $101,850
Anne Frey, community outreach coordinator, $36,091
Amanda Nicole Gilmer, office administrator, $49,350
Michelle Giza, case manager, $64,050
Kristina Jordan, opioid outreach coordinator, $44,100
Carly Levandoski, special victims division chief, $75,600
Daniel Marsh, DUI division chief, $78,750
Sherry Middleton, fiscal clerk, $49,350
Daniel Mulhern, major crimes division chief, $75,600
William Patton, gun violence reduction agent, $54,600
Anthony Ross, first assistant district attorney, $110,250
Larry Whitehead, drug task force coordinator, $59,850
Daniel Zola, deputy district attorney — narcotics, $94,500
*Narcotics agents, $53,550 each
*The Times Leader didn't reveal the names of three undercover narcotics agents to protect their safety due to the nature of their work.
