John Stahl was promoted from Lycoming County Adult Probation Office supervisor to deputy chief after a disagreement among the commissioners led to a 2-1 vote Thursday morning.

Commissioner Rick Mirabito was the sole “no” vote, listing the budget deficit, “perceived nepotism” and more as his reasons.

“The budget deficit continues to be an issue that we must confront. I am concerned that throughout the county we have a large number of positions with titles such as ‘deputy chief’ or ‘deputy director,’ ” Mirabito said.

“Mr. Stahl is being hired into a deputy director position. His wife is the court administrator,” he added. “While I do not know whether this practice (nepotism) occurred here, the appearance of impropriety as perceived by the general public and other employees is troublesome.”

President Judge Nancy L. Butts addressed Mirabito’s concerns prior to the commissioners’ vote.

“We are receiving $171,425, which represents 28.2 percent of the salaries of our adult probation office,” Butts said, adding the money comes from the state Board of Probation and Parole. “When you drill down to the actual analysis, 100 percent of the salary of both our deputy and our supervisor position is reimbursed by the grant.”

Furthermore, she said, the definition of nepotism in the dictionary “is instructive,” but is not an accurate way to judge whether it is happening in an organization.

Instead, Butts compared the situation to county and state nepotism policies.

“It is absolutely consistent with the county’s nepotism policy. John Stahl was the next in line in the established line-of-progression to be promoted. However, we don’t automatically promote people just because they’re next in line. The hiring committee unanimously determined that John Stahl was the best qualified applicant for the position.”

“No one in the court administrator’s office is involved in that process,” Butts added. “We believe that (the promotion is) squarely in line not only with the spirit but the letter of the nepotism policy.”

In another matter, the commissioners:

• Approved a grant and monitoring agreement with Lycoming County Historical Society in the amount of $10,000 to be used for operational costs.

• Approved a professional agreement with William J. Miele specifying the cases he will handle as he eases into retirement from his contracted position of public defender. Miele will work for $100 per hour on a part-time basis.

• Approved a purchase request in the amount of $10,386 for four new landfill tarps with chains and accessories from AAA Tarps for Resource Management Services.

• Approved waiving disposal fees for waste collected as part of the Great American Cleanup from April 13 through May 6. Participants must be registered with the movement to qualify for the waiver.

• Adopted a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance program for designated areas within South Williamsport.

• Approved an amendment to an agreement with Vassallo Engineering and Surveying Inc., allowing the company to perform parameter boundary surveys and a subdivision plan for Sylvan Dell at a cost of $12,000 to be paid with grant funding.

• Approved the following personnel actions: Charlene C. Fischer as a full-time replacement general accountant in fiscal services at $42,179.89, effective March 11; Nathaniel T. Edler as a full-time replacement correction officer relief in the prison at $16.01 per hour, effective March 12; and Nicole Ryder as a full-time replacement clerk III in Magisterial District Judge Christian D. Frey’s office at $13.95 per hour, effective Monday.

Commissioners Jack McKernan and Tony Mussare also were present. The next meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Executive Plaza.