A Butler County commissioners’ vote on paying people who served on a worker’s dispute resolution panel turned into a debate involving a fired human services worker.

Commissioner Jim Eckstein on Wednesday opposed paying stipends to volunteers who served on Human Services’ Alternative Dispute Resolution panel.

“This really disturbs me,” he said.

Eckstein said volunteers should not be paid retroactively.

“You change it the next time,” he said. “I believe we’re making a very odd exception here.”

Commissioner Bill McCarrier, board chairman, defended the $250 daily stipend for the three panel members because they ended up working six eight-hour days to consider the appeal of a fired Area Agency on Aging worker.

Commissioner Dale Pinkerton said all three took time off from their jobs with at least one using vacation time.

Eckstein said that person and the others, who still were paid from their employers for that week, were now receiving a “bonus” for their volunteer work.

He claimed the panel members were getting the total $4,500 because they made a decision in favor of the county regarding the dismissal of Jo Donaldson of Center Township.

Eckstein also said the panel’s ruling was done for his colleagues. McCarrier took offense at Eckstein’s comments.

“That’s one of the most ridiculous and ignorant things you’ve said,” McCarrier said.

Donaldson, who was a nonunion supervisor, investigated claims of unsafe environments for seniors.

In one case that she petitioned Butler County Court to grant an emergency guardianship for a person suffering from dementia, the primary caretaker threatened litigation.

Donaldson was subsequently suspended, then fired following a personnel hearing.

In a June 2013 interview, she told the Butler Eagle the county never told her what she did wrong. Donaldson maintained she followed proper protocol.

Aside from Eckstein, county officials refuse to comment on the firing.

The formation of the ADR panel became necessary because the county switched from civil service hiring to an internal merit-based system.

Eckstein on Wednesday said if the panel members are to be paid, the rate should be what people get for ruling on tax assessment appeals: $150 a day.

“The rate is way too high,” he said.

He questioned why these people are paid a “bonus” while the firm that investigated an internal complaint filed against him by a county employee did not receive extra compensation after performing extra work.

McCarrier questioned the validity of Eckstein’s comparison.

“What’s this have to do with anything,” McCarrier said.

Eckstein warned his colleagues that Donaldson still could sue the county over her firing.

“We’re going to see if it’s taken to court,” he said.