Schuylkill County Commissioners brought back a familiar face to help with the transition in the tax assessment office.

By a vote of 2-1, commissioners voted to bring back Virginia Murray, who had been the chief assessor until her retirement in 2019. Murray, who was hired under a consulting contract, will help with the procedure, policy and timelines in the assessment office, Commissioners’ Chairman Barron “Boots” Hetherington said. Her rate of pay is $40 an hour with a max of 105 hours a month.

He said Anthony Alu, who commissioners voted for a consulting contract previously to provide oversight to the tax assessment office, training to new and existing employees and assist in the transitioning to a new chief assessor, requested Murray.

Commissioner Gary Hess voted no because he is against the restructuring of the tax assessment and tax claim offices. He also mentioned the ongoing litigation of Commissioner George Halcovage Jr.

“She knows the system. She can help us decide where we want to go,” County Administrator Gary Bender said.

He said two people were interviewed for the chief assessor position. Bender said a decision on who to hire is possible next week.