SUNBURY — Controversy is brewing over Northumberland County’s hiring of a law clerk. Commissioners voted Tuesday to hire John P. Muncer as a judicial law clerk for judge-elect Hugh A. Jones. The contract with Muncer, which is effective January 1, 2016, passed with two votes from commissioners Vinny Clausi and Stephen Bridy. Rick Shoch was the lone dissenting vote.
The approved contract engages Muncer for one year as a law clerk at a rate of $55,000 per year. Commissioner Rick Shoch tells WKOK, at 11a.m Tuesday morning, the contract was for $66,000 per year, but last-minute negotiations reduced the salary.
The salary seems out of scale, according to commissioner-elect Kymberley Best. Other law clerks are employees of the county with salaries ranging from $39,942 to $41,140. Muncer has worked for Northumberland County for 30 years, most recently as chief clerk. He is taking early-retirement and will be drawing a pension.
According to the agreement, Muncer will not be a county employee, but rather an independent contractor. He will not receive insurance benefits, but will be entitled to sick and vacation time for someone who has served the county for 30 years.
The provisions of the agreement allow for its termination without cause with 30 days written notice. It is unclear whether the new board of commissioners will support the agreement when they take office in 2016.
