Human Resources Director Carol Gabris will no longer serve Independence Township now that the board voted unanimously to eliminate her position and return HR duties to Supervisor Pat Kittle. The HR Director position was created in 2009.
‘This is being done for monetary purposes only,? said Kittle at his first meeting on November 27. ‘We’re looking at a very substantial cash savings that would fall right to the township bottom line.?
Restoring the HR functions to the supervisor allows the township to save between $50,000 to $60,000 annually, Kittle explained.
‘I don’t like taking anyone out of a job, but fundamentally people elected Mr. Kittle to do these types of things,? said Trustee Lohmeier.
‘This is a responsibility that should be handled by the supervisor,? Trustee Andrea Schroeder concurred.
Treasurer Paul Brown and Clerk Barb Pallotta offered to lend their experience in human resources to aid Kittle as he takes on Gabris’s responsibilities including contract negotiation and payroll.
Gabris leaves the position with one month of salary and three months of health care benefits.