LISBON — Columbiana County’s loss will be the city of Columbiana’s gain as county Board of Elections Deputy Director Bryce Miner leaves to become the city’s new Deputy City Administrator/Deputy Zoning Inspector next month.

Born and raised in Columbiana, Miner announced Friday that he’s resigning from the county Board of Elections effective April 5.

“While I will miss serving the voters of Columbiana County, I am equally as excited to continue by public service in my hometown of Columbiana. In my new role as Deputy Chief Administrator/Deputy Zoning Inspector, I am eager to work with city leadership and community partners to keep Columbiana the best place to work, live and raise a family. Columbiana is thriving; and joining a successful team of public servants all working in unison for the good of Columbiana is a tremendous opportunity. I very much look forward to serving the citizens of Columbiana,” Miner wrote in a press release.

The board regretfully accepted the resignation and is advertising for a new deputy director. Since Miner is a Republican, the new hire must be a Republican. The Board of Elections is a bi-partisan staff made up of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, as is the board.

Chairman David Johnson, Vice Chairmen Patty Colian and members Larry Bowersock and Vic Maroscher all expressed regret over Miner’s exit, but wished him well in his new endeavor. Johnson said they all owe him a debt of gratitude for the job he’s done the past five years, thanking him for his service.

“He has performed fabulously,” Johnson said.

Colian told him she’s going to miss him, especially his assistance with technology. She was glad he found something closer to home. Bowersock added that he hated to see him go and wished him success. He said the board appreciated what he’s done for the Board of Elections.

“I’ve watched you grow up since you were a little boy. Whatever you do, you’re going to succeed at,” Maroscher said.

Miner has been the work partner for Board of Elections Director Kim Fusco since his arrival Feb. 4, 2019.

“I definitely will miss you Bryce,” she said.

The board will advertise the position of deputy director in the Morning Journal and on the Board of Elections website for one week, ending March 16. Johnson and Maroscher, the Republican members of the board, will conduct interviews, then the entire four-member board will vote on the recommendation. Johnson said they’re hoping to find someone with election experience who’s good with technology and computers and has good skills for human resources and dealing with the public. A criminal background check will be required.

According to rules set forth by the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, the minimum qualifications for the job include: a high school diploma or the equivalent of a high school diploma (GED), with a college education desired; a baseline understanding of the rules, processes, procedures, and equipment used in local election administration; general managerial experience and skills, including the ability to manage the day-to-day operations, familiarity with the handling of budgets and public appropriation of funds and the ability to convey or exchange information, to comprehend a variety of informational documents and to perform in a professional manner.

There’s also a questionnaire which must be completed with questions regarding the holding of elected or appointed office, any misdemeanor or felony convictions, circumstances that might present a conflict of interest, any employment or contracts with the board within the last 24 months, whether the candidate has had to file a campaign finance report and whether a campaign in which the person had involvement was the subject of a referral or complaint to the Ohio Elections Commission.

Miner expressed his appreciation and respect for all four board members for their combined decades of service to the voters of the county for giving him the opportunity to serve the past five years. He said he was “thankful for our hard-working staff, my counterpart, our volunteers and most especially our poll workers for serving their community and defending democracy.”

“Serving the voters of Columbiana County has been the honor of a lifetime, and conducting elections in honor of all who have served or continue to serve in our armed forces will be what I will treasure most. Our veterans are the reason why we have the privilege of free and fair elections in the United States of America and I am forever grateful,” Miner wrote.

He’ll remain on the job through the primary election, March 19, and through the certification of the election.

mgreier@mojonews.com