Westmoreland prison warden to get raise; 5 seasonal officers approved for park police force

The Westmoreland County salary board approved a $5,000 raise for Bryan Kline, warden at the county prison, because he recently earned a doctorate degree. He will now make $99,000.

Kline said his degree is from St. Leo University in Florida in criminal justice with a specialization in homeland security.

The county Park Police are looking for five seasonal, temporary officers to help reduce overtime costs during the summer.

The positions were created last week by the salary board. The officers will make $25 an hour and be limited to 1,000 hours.

Chief Henry Fontana said the positions should eliminate the need for the force of 46 officers to take overtime during summer months.

“The parks get super busy when the weather breaks,” he said.

Work days extended

As part of the county’s ongoing effort to extend the work days for all of its 24-hour operations, four top employees in the sheriff’s department will see more time at work. The salary board approved the move that will add 30 minutes to work days this year and another half-hour starting in March 2024.

The change will affect the positions of chief deputy, captain and two lieutenants.

Affected individuals will receive raises as their work day increases from 6.5 hours to seven this year. Work days will be extended to 7.5 hours in 2024.

Other county department administrators, including those in the park police department and at the county-owned nursing home, Westmoreland Manor, county public safety and fiscal offices have had their work days extended over the past year.