NEW CUMBERLAND — The Hancock County Commission wrapped up its calendar year Monday, approving an amended holiday and meeting schedule, and re-hiring a retired county employee on a part-time basis.

Commissioners, on a 2-1 vote, agreed to the hiring of Floyd Schulte as a part-time animal control officer, with Commissioner Eron Chek expressing several concerns in relation to the process.

The commission approved Schulte’s retirement as dog warden/humane officer in November, with officials noting he had served the county for more than 40 years. On Dec. 12, the commission agreed to compensate Schulte for any unused sick or annual days.

Officials, on Monday, explained the plan for Schulte to fill in until a new humane officer is hired.

“He’s being brought back part time,” explained Mike Lucas, assistant prosecutor who serves as the commission’s legal counsel. “It’s to allow Floyd to come in as a transitional individual.”

Chek, though, claimed the proposal presented to the commission listed no timeframe, or limit, or if any budgetary allowance had been made.

“We haven’t discussed a time limit or pay scale,” she said.

Commissioner Jeff Davis said the county needs to have someone in the position to handle any animal control needs, noting two incidents in recent weeks where an animal has needed picked up, and proposed Schulte receive the same pay scale as when he had been employed previously.

“I think it’s imperative,” Davis said, explaining as a part-time employee Schulte would not receive a pension or other benefits, but would be covered under the county’s workers’ compensation plan.

Commissioner Paul Cowey explained efforts are under way to hire a full-time humane officer, agreeing the proposal with Schulte would be short-term.

“We have it advertised and are taking applications,” Cowey said, adding funds for the position already were in the county’s budget as it was prepared before Schulte had submitted his plans to retire.

County Administrator John Klee confirmed there had been approximately 15 applications received for the position.

Lucas said the commission can revisit the issue at any time if there is an interest in setting a time limit or other parameters on the part-time position, or any other concerns.

In other business, Monday, the commission approved proposals to provide county employees with full days off for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, following declarations for state employees by Gov. Jim Justice; amending the 2025 meeting schedule to add a reorganizational meeting at 10 a.m, Jan. 2; to pay Kelly Vargo, a former animal care technician, $698.32 in compensation for 56 hours of unused vacation time; and approved an order denying claims in the estate of John A. Rock.