Carbon County voters will see a familiar face in the election office beginning in April.

On Thursday, in a 2-1 vote, the Carbon County Commissioners approved hiring Lisa R. Dart as the county election director, effective March 30. Commissioner Rocky Ahner cast the sole no vote.

Commissioners’ Chairman Mike Sofranko said that the county needed someone with experience running an election and Dart, who had served as the county election director from 2010 to January 2023, was that applicant.

Dart left the county for a position within the Lancaster County election office after the county finalized its salary study. At that time, she said she felt she wasn’t a valued employee anymore and was just looked at as a number.

“We interviewed those that had some experience and knowledge of how an election office ran and how to get through an election,” he said. “We felt we needed someone who was qualified to be a director, someone that had been a director, and someone who had knowledge.”

Carbon County’s election office has seen a lot of turnover in the last year, with longtime office personnel Jane Krebs retiring as well an election director Jennifer Ketchledge leaving earlier this month. The other staff within that department has been there for approximately two years or less.

Ahner said that he feels that while Dart has the experience, that office is always changing due to how state regulations change from election to election.

“When you have an election, everything is brand new, like everyday something changes,” he said. “I would have liked to see somebody promoted from within to be our new director. ... That was my opinion on the way to go.”

Ahner added that his goal is to retain employees long-term by promoting within instead of hiring out all the time.

“I want to cut down on people leaving. I want them to have at least a feeling that they can move up in certain departments if they want to,” he said, also voicing his frustration over the ever-changing guidelines provided by the state for election procedures and their lack of guidance over issues that come up.

“We have skilled employees that normally assist yearly in elections that can support us through the primary. Rushing to fill the position this close to an election cuts down on the field of applicants due to the fact they don’t want to jeopardize the integrity of elections where they’re at currently.”

Commissioner Wayne Nothstein pointed out that none of the county employees applied for the director position so it was hard to promote from within.

“Our backs were to the wall,” he said. “At least bringing Lisa back, she had that experience and more knowledge. Yes, I agree, things change everyday but that’s a problem with the Department of State.”

Sofranko echoed both colleagues’ thoughts, saying he agreed with Ahner that he wants to move people up within the departments they are working; however, when nobody in that office showed interest in the position and didn’t apply, there was not much the county could do besides hire from outside.

“Everybody hates to bring people in from the outside, but I don’t really consider Lisa an outsider,” Sofranko said. “She’s been here before so she’s coming back. She knows the lay of the land. She knows what’s going on.”

He commended both of the two final candidates interviewed for the position and said it came down to experience within the office.

He welcomed Dart back to the county and said that he believes she will do a good job.

Last week, in a special salary board meeting, the county, in a 3-1 vote, approved increasing the election director position hourly rate from $28.52 per hour, to $30.71 per hour. Ahner cast the sole no vote in that matter as well.