Crawford County is without the services of its chief county clerk.
Following Wednesday’s Crawford County Board of Commissioners meeting, Chairman Eric Henry told The Meadville Tribune that Gina Chatfield, the county’s chief clerk, “is on paid administrative leave.”
“The position has not become available,” Commissioner Christopher Seeley said.
Commissioners confirmed Chatfield’s paid leave began Monday afternoon and “will run through the end of the year,” Henry said.
As a head clerk, Chatfield receives $56,000 annually plus benefits, according to the county’s human resources office.
When asked what prompted him to play at Chatfield on leave, Henry replied: ‘Staff is important.’
“I can’t comment on that,” Henry said when asked what prompted the commissioners to place Chatfield on paid administrative leave.
“We’ll have to have a discussion with the board (of commissioners),” Henry said when asked whether Chatfield would return on Jan. 1, 2025, when the furlough period is over. “We are currently having discussions with each other about what we will do in the future.”
Attempts to contact Chatfield by phone and text message Wednesday for comment were unsuccessful.
Chatfield, 51, was appointed chief clerk of the county on Jan. 1, 2016, by a previous board of commissioners — Francis Weiderspahn Jr., John Amato and John Christopher Soff.
Prior to her appointment as chief clerk in 2016, Chatfield served in an administrative position in the commissioners’ office since Oct. 13, 2014, according to the county’s human resources office.
According to the County Code of Pennsylvania, chief clerks are appointed by the county’s governing body, the county commissioners. A chief clerk is appointed for an indefinite period and fulfills his position at the pleasure of the supervisory board.
Under the Pennsylvania County Code, a chief clerk serves as a clerk, maintaining the books and accounts of the county commissioners; recording and filing the procedures and papers of the county commissioners; confirming all orders and voucher checks issued by the District Commissioners and performing all other duties incidental to the office of Chief Clerk.
A chief clerk also has the authority to administer oaths and affirmations relating to the proceedings of the county commissioners’ office.
Crawford County does not have a deputy chief clerk, and the commissioners did not appoint an interim chief at Wednesday’s meeting.
Henry said County Attorney Keith Button is exploring what options commissioners would have to get the necessary paperwork confirmed since there is no chief clerk.
