Commissioners replacing county administrator

In a 2-1 vote, with Commissioner Tommy Swaim objecting, the Morgan County Commission voted last week to replace long-time County Administrator Bill Clark.

Clark currently acts both as administrator and County Economic Development Director. He has held administrative positions in county government for 24 years.

On a motion by Commissioner Stacy Dugan, officials decided to split Clark's job into two full-time positions at the December 10 meeting.

"It's time to split the EDA and administrator position into two full-time positions," Dugan said.

"They're both important positions and I think its just time to bite the bullet and make it two positions," she said.

"I've been on this wavelength for some time," said Commission President Brenda Hutchinson.

"I feel that we need to hire a new county administrator and think Bill would do well as the EDA director," said Hutchinson.

Neither Dugan nor Hutchinson asked Clark during the meeting which of his job responsibilities he preferred to retain.

Hutchinson laid out a timeline under which the administrator job would be posted this week, and Clark's replacement might be hired by the end of December, with interviews possible between Christmas and New Year's.

Salary for that job would range from $25,000 to $30,000, depending on experience, she said.

Hutchinson said one applicant for another recent job opening might be a good candidate for administrator.

Timing questioned

Commissioner Swaim objected to making the change now, in advance of a complicated move of county operations into a new courthouse. The move is expected in May.

Swaim also said the county is facing unprecedented financial challenges — both from unknown costs for courthouse operations and because of uncertain tax collections this year.

"I can't say I'm opposed to splitting the job up, but I'm completely opposed to considering this now," Swaim said.

He pointed out that the county recently replaced Maxie Maggio, who had overseen courthouse construction details since the start of the project. Maggio moved out of the area to take another job.

The commissioners also recently terminated the "Clerk of the Works" position, saying those services weren't needed now that the majority of construction is complete.

"It's a tremendous loss to take Bill out of here when we need his expertise," said Swaim.

"I think it couldn't be any better timing," said Dugan, who argued a new administrator would ease the transition of county operations into the courthouse.

"Doesn't it concern you that we'd have two people who know absolutely nothing about the courthouse?" asked Swaim. He was referring to a new part-time post for county webmaster as well as the county administrator job.

No decision was made about where Clark and the new administrator would have offices. Clark's office is currently in the County Commission trailer.

Dugan said there would be some change in office locations because she wouldn't want Clark "hovering over" his replacement.

As EDA director, Clark's job responsibilities and supervision will rest in the hands of the EDA board, not the commissioners.

Pay becomes issue

Disagreements continued as discussion about the job split moved into calculations of how the county would pay for the expanded positions.

Saying she wanted to make the move "revenue neutral," Hutchinson proposed that the county would put $25,000 toward the salary of an EDA director and continue to provide benefits and office space for Clark.

"I don't think the county would want to fund the position wholly," she said.

Currently, the county's EDA gets an annual state grant of $34,000. The local EDA board puts $10,000 of that grant toward Clark's salary. The decision about whether to continue that salary contribution rests with the local 14-member EDA board.

"I'd prefer you figure out a way the county support the position in the whole," Clark said. "I don't mind going to another position, but don't think I should be asked to sweat that."

"I have an issue with keeping a $51,000 salary when we're taking half of your responsibilities away from you," Dugan told Clark.

"But I didn't ask for you to take half of that job away from me," Clark said.

Swaim defended Clark's salary, saying he's currently paid half of what other county administrators are paid in the surrounding region.

Hutchinson argued that salary savings from recent hires of entry-level employees would help make up the added cost of expanding the administrator job to a full-time position.

"I've made my mind up already that the position needs to be split," Hutchinson said.

"I think you just said it all when you say your mind is all made up," Swaim said.

After the 30-minute discussion, Dugan moved to split the EDA and administrator positions, with the county contributing $37,232 toward the EDA salary, and to ask the EDA board to contribute $15,000 toward Clark's salary.

Hutchinson supported the motion, with Swaim strongly opposing the action.

Hutchinson said the commissioners would send a letter to notify the EDA board of the decision.

News to the EDA

In answer to questions from The Morgan Messenger, EDA board president Beth Curtin said the Economic Development Authority hadn't had any discussions with the commissioners about the change in Clark's job duties.

"They have not approached me or the board as a whole," Curtin said on Monday. "The EDA wasn't aware that this was coming down the road."

Despite the surprise decision, Curtin said she thinks the board will embrace having more of Clark's time and expertise at its disposal.

"I think the cause of economic development in the county could be better served with a full-time director," said Curtin.

"I'm excited about the possibility of having a full-time EDA director and thrilled to have Bill do that because he knows the lay of the land and the county so well," she said.

Curtin said the EDA board will have to make the decision about contributing more to cover Clark's salary as a full-time director.

Their next meeting will be held on January 26, 2010.