CORTLAND, NY (607NewsNow) — Cortland County is a step closer to filling a top job. 

The Finance and Administration Committee agreed Tuesday, Feb. 17 to hire Pracademic Partners out of Livingston County to help search for a new deputy county administrator.

The role has been vacant since Melanie Velardi resigned in April to become director of the Cortland County Business Development Corporation/Industrial Development Agency. The full Legislature must authorize the search. Their next meeting is Thursday, Feb. 26.

Officials tell 607 News Now the role can’t be filled until July.