Carbon County has named one of its own as the new chief adult probation officer.

On Thursday, the county commissioners acknowledged the change of status of Matthew J. Kimmel, of Lehighton, from probation officer II to chief adult probation officer, effective June 2. Kimmel fills the vacancy that was created June 1 with the retirement of Richmond Parsons, who left to pursue another career.

“I am humbled and honored to have been selected as the chief,” Kimmel said via email Friday morning. “This is going to be challenging not only because of the new position, but the changes happening in the criminal justice system. I am fortunate to have a very good staff working here. I will be relying on them heavily to do this job.”

Kimmel has served with the county for about 26 years.

During the discussion on Kimmel’s appointment, Commissioner Chris Lukasevich said that he would not acknowledge the change of status due to the court’s continued non compliance of Act 57.

“While I will not acknowledge Mr. Kimmel’s change in status, I do want to emphasize that I believe he is fully capable, competent and prepared to assume the great duties and responsibilities that are going to be placed upon him,” Lukasevich said.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said that it has been determined by state agencies and insurance providers that the court’s decision to not follow Act 57 does not create a liability to the county and asked Lukasevich to further discuss this matter with President Judge Roger Nanovic if he has concerns rather than air his opinion at a public meeting when the judge wasn’t present.

Nanovic, who had been at the meeting, had to leave before the discussion to due court proceedings.

Nanovic was in attendance due to the monthly salary board, which set Kimmel’s new salary at $39.38 per hour.

Nanovic said that the position was advertised and the county received 20 applications, five of which were interviewed.

He said that Kimmel was the only one who was already employed with the office and felt he was the best person for the job due to his experience.

He initially asked for the salary to be set at $40.56 per hour, but that motion was amended by Lukasevich to one step down. The amended motion passed 3-2, which Nanovic and Nothstein voting against it, while Lukasevich, Commissioner Rocky Ahner and Controller Mark Sverchek voted yes.