The potential firings of the Schuylkill Tax Claim Director and assistant director were tabled at the commissioners’ meeting.

Commissioner Gary Hess requested the action. Commissioner Barron “Boots” Hetherington voted yes. Commissioner George Halcovage Jr. abstained due to a conflict of interest and advice of legal counsel.

Angela Toomey is the director of the office and Denise McGinley- Gerchak is the assistant director.

The tax claim and tax assessment offices were restructured in March.

The personnel action report on the county website, www.co.schuylkill.pa.us listed motions for the terminations. The tax claim and tax assessment offices were restructured in March. Toomey had been the chief assessor in the assessment office and tax claim director. McGinley-Gerchak was the assistant director of tax assessment/claim before the changes. Toomey had been making $68,852 prior to the switch. McGinley-Gerchak was making $47,057.

At the time, Commissioners Barron “Boots” Hetherington and George Halcovage Jr. voted for the transfers.

Commissioner Gary Hess voted against the moves.

“It’s a demotion. It’s not a restructuring,” he said.

The salary board voted 3-1 to eliminate the their positions and create a tax claim director, assistant tax claim director, chief assessor and deputy chief assessor.

Schuylkill County Controller Sharon Yackenchick voted yes.

Heidi Zula, human resources director, said the motions are made “after a review by the Human Resources office and county administration and part of a plan to maximize the efficiency and operations of these offices.”