MONTICELLO – Six months before it is set to expire, the Sullivan County Legislature renewed County Manager Josh Potosek’s contract by a 7-2 vote at the full board meeting on Thursday, June 20. 

The contract is for a period of four and a half years commencing on July 1 and going through December 31, 2028. Potosek received an $18,000 raise in the new contract, going from $177,000 to $195,000. His salary will sit at that number through December 31, 2025 and each subsequent year will come with a 1.5 percent salary increase. The County Manager will also be provided with a take-home vehicle as part of the contract as well as an additional fifth week of annual vacation.

District 2 Legislature and Chair Nadia Rajsz and District 5 Legislature Cat Scott were the two that voted no to renewing the County Manager’s contract. 

Rajsz noted that it has nothing to do with the person or what he brings to the table as a County Manager, but she disagrees with the terms of the contract. 

“I think Josh is a wonderful manager and I wish him well going forward,” Rajsz said. “I just have issues with some of the terms.”

Scott noted that while she believes Potosek does a good job as County Manager, she said that there was a lack of process. 

“As elected officials, our job is to do our due diligence,” said Scott. “I was elected to ensure that there is a process. Our county should come up with commissions and have more of a process when giving out salary increases.”

She said that last year there was a seven percent increase to County position salaries and this year Potosek received just under a 10 percent increase. 

Voting yes

“Josh has been a dedicated county employee for over 10 years and has worked well with myself and the other members of the Legislature,” said District 1 Legislator Matt McPhillips. “I am looking forward to working with him over the next four years.”

“I think the county has made great advancements over the last couple of years under the leadership of the County Manager and the office,” said District 3 Legislator Brian McPhillips. “We look forward to continuing that relationship over the next four years. This was the correct move for the county to continue to move in the right direction.”

District 4 Legislator Nicholas Salomone has been around Potosek for the past four years and agreed with Perrello about going with someone you are familiar with and knowing what you have with them. 

District 6 Legislator Luis Alvarez said he was voting yes for Potosek’s contract renewal because of the years he dealt with him as the Chairman of the Legislature. 

District 7 Legislator Joe Perrello noted the relationship he and Potosek have built over his eight years as a Legislator, now in his third term. 

“Some people thought we should have went out and advertised,” Perrello said. “I’m the kind of person, you know what you have. You make that person work for it and [when] you have differences you try to groom them in the direction that you want them to go. You got a better package when you do that instead of looking for somebody new and then to find out you got a bomb.”

“I hope to be a part of a board that will support you, provide guidance and provide sound evaluations,” said District 8 Legislator Amanda Ward. “So you know what our expectations are and ensure that moving forward the evaluation process will be professional.”

“I just would like to say, Josh, thank you for staying,” said District 9 Legislator Terry Blosser-Bernardo. “Sullivan County needs you. We’re glad that you’re here and that you agreed to stay.”