By John Kiesewetter
Enquirer staff writer

HAMILTON - After being told to find another job in March, Dennis Nichols will remain on the Butler County payroll with a 6 percent pay raise.

Nichols, the administrative assistant to Butler County Commissioner Michael A. Fox, was given 90 days in March to find a new job.

On Tuesday, he began work as utility accounts manager for the county's Department of Environmental Services.

Commissioners Fox and Chuck Furmon last Thursday approved the transfer, along with a pay raise of about $3,500, to $61,772 a year.

Commissioner Greg Jolivette, who joined the board in January, objected to the move. Jolivette said Wednesday he expected Nichols to leave the county payroll when told he was terminated after the commissioners' closed-door secret meeting in Jolivette's office on March 22.

Furmon said he made "no assumptions at all at the time" whether Nichols would find work outside county government.

Nichols could not be reached for comment.

Furmon wanted Nichols dismissed in March after frequently complaining to Nichols and Fox that Nichols did not keep the other commissioners informed.

Furmon said Wednesday the Environmental Services utility accounts position was a good fit for Nichols.

Nichols formerly worked as a reporter and editor for newspapers in Mount Washington, Hamilton, West Chester and Mason.

Nichols' vacancy probably won't be filled, Furmon said.

E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer.com