Supervisors have opted to hold off on a merger of the Kern County Board of Trade and the Employers’ Training Resource, saying another week must pass to allow both agencies to discuss how they’ll be affected by the move.

Administrative officer John Nilon said the proposal makes sense in a time where the county must make cuts.

“It’s would require some additions and deletions,” he said. “There would be a salary savings – and I believe this is a minimum savings – of $158,146 annually.”

Supervisor Mick Gleason liked the plan, but said he didn’t want to commit to the plan Tuesday night.

“I am also a firm believer of the integrity of the public process,” he said. “I don’t think the integrity of the public process has played out in this particular issue.”

The move would create a single economic and workforce development department, and would eliminate the Employers’ Training Resource director position.

Supervisors will vote on the plan next week.

– Anthony Pollreisz