Amanda Steger, the newly hired Barren County treasurer, looks onward after being sworn in at a special-called meeting of the Barren Fiscal Court on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. She succeeds Jenny Hoffman who resigned Saturday, Jan. 14.
(LUKE PIERCE/WCLU NEWS)
By LUKE C. PIERCE, WCLU News
GLASGOW — Fewer than 72 hours after beginning the search for a county treasurer, the Barren Fiscal Court hired Amanda Steger with unanimous approval following the recommendation by Barren Judge/Executive Jamie Byrd.
A special-called meeting was held Thursday afternoon to approve the hiring following the resignation of Jenny Hoffman last Saturday, Jan. 14.
Steger of Glasgow was hired at a salary of $41,600, the same as her predecessor. According to her resume, she has been the Office Manager at Flener Inc. (DBA Pharmacy Express) and Parmet Inc. (DBA Metcalfe Drugs; DBA Parkland Drugs) since July 2020. Her duties included roles related to accounting and human resources. She received her Bachelor’s in Accounting from Western Kentucky University in May 2014.
“I think it’s going to be great. I’m going to try and go above and beyond and do great things, with great people,” Steger said.
Byrd said she is excited to have a new treasurer who is eager and educated. Steger has never worked in government, however.
“It’s going to take learning. We’re all learning, but she will do an excellent job. I have total faith that she will be fine,” Byrd said. “I’m so thankful that the court was supportive of it as well and we are just moving on.”
In a letter of resignation, former treasurer Hoffman cited her frustrations with pay.
“Not only did you hire in a new staff at a higher rate of pay, but you have several people who were already employed with the County a significant raise as well,” Hoffman said in the letter. “The one thing you did not do was increase my pay.”
“I’m not sure where that’s coming from,” said Byrd when asked to comment on the claims Hoffman made.
“The whole theory that other people around got raises — I’m not sure where that’s coming from,” Byrd said. “In our office currently, we have two people that are paid close to $10,000 less than those before them.”
Pay raises were approved for most county employees last July under the former judge/executive and fiscal court, according to public records obtained by WCLU News. Many of those on the county’s payroll last summer are no longer on it since many left when Byrd took office.
Byrd recommended a series of salaries for various positions she filled upon her entrance to officers. Magistrates approved those in early January 2023. Several of the new hires Byrd made and the fiscal court approved were provided heftier salaries than their predecessors. Hoffman’s pay never increased, however.
The Barren County Parks and Recreation director position received a raise in pay from $41,600 to $45,000. The county road supervisor’s position received an increase exceeding $4,000, totaling $56,150.
Hoffman’s salary remained at $41,600, which incited her letter and subsequent resignation.
Byrd said employees within the road department received raises in hopes of incentivizing them and eliminating turnover in that area of county government.
Steger began her duties on Thursday.
