The Schuylkill County employees pension fund reached a market value of $118,803,278 at the end of November but as of Wednesday it dropped to $118,551,385, Ron Zimmerman, deputy county controller, told the Schuylkill County Employees Retirement Board this week.

During November three members received annuity totaling $797,184, five members received funds totaling $7,315, and two employees were granted buy-back from leave of absence.The board drafted a closing agreement on final determination covering amendments presented by the Internal Revenue Department in which the Hay Group Inc., Harrisburg, which provides record keeping services on behalf of the county, to bring to date its retirement plan in accordance to IRS requirements. The settlement is for $8,250. The Hay Group will pay that amount to the IRS to settle the matter.Zimmerman explained to the board the amendments have no impact on the administration or funding of the county's retirement system. Under terms of the agreement the IRS will not seek to disqualify the plan because of the late adoption.Zinmmerman reported the amendment merely clarifies the current plan provision that is required by statutory changes. Amendments were adopted to requirements of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, unemployment compensations amendments of 1992, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, the Uniformed Service Employment Right Act of 1994, the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000, the Heroes Earnings Assistance Relief Tax Act of 2008, and the Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act.Commissioners meetThe commissioners held their biweekly public meeting before the retirement board meeting.Actions included:Approved the appointment of Kathy Burda, Pottsville, to serve as a member of the Office of Senior Services Advisory Board for a three-year period ending Dec. 31, 2016.Approved the extension of time for the contract held with Dallago Backhoe Company until May 9, 2014, to avoid winter season work.As the end of the year approaches budget adjustments were approved for a number of departments to transfer funds from one account to another but no increase in expenditures over the budget.Two persons were hired at Rest Haven Home. They were Dawn Bechtel, Frackville, as a part time licensed practical nurse at $15.99 per hour; and Ashley Janowski, Pine Grove, as a part time registered nurse and head nurse at $20.69 per hor. Suzanne Staller, Schuylkill Haven, was transferred from part time to full time per diem licensed practical nurse at $18 per hour; and David Sheris, Schuylkill Haven, was terminated as a part time laundry aide.The adult probation department reported hiring three unpaid interns. Hired were Eric Quackenbush and Amanda Cannon, both of Pottsville, and Cheryl Prosper, Saint Clair.The court administration department announced the resignation of Ron Jones, Frackville, as a court attendant.