By Charlene Sims, info@linncountyjournal.com
MOUND CITY – What began as a discussion about the role a county administrator might play in the operation of the county departments ended with commissioners charging each other with being at fault for running employees off.
But as the discussion went on, it began to look like commissioners were looking at a major reconfiguration of county departments.
Linn County Commission Chair Danny McCullough brought up the subject of the county having a county administrator on Monday, July 22. This idea came up after Public Works Administrator Shaun West asked about hiring an employee as an assistant to the public works administrator.
Jessica Hightower, who took that job on in addition to economic development director and airport manager, submitted her resignation last week. The commissioners had been talking about reorganizing the public works, road and bridge, economic development and the airport responsibilities.
McCullough said that he had been looking at the comprehensive plan. Since the county had paid $60,000 or $70,000 for it, maybe the commissioner should be using it. He pointed out the part that said that the county could use a county administrator
“If we don’t agree with that, I don’t know why we approve the comprehensive plan,” said McCullough
Commissioner Jason Hightower asked where the pay for the county administrator would come from.
County Clerk David Lamb said that it would probably be a new line item put in the general fund.
Hightower asked what kind of support staff the administrator would need.
Lamb told the commissioners that depended on what duties they were going to put on the administrator.
“We get (chewed out) up here because we’re not doing our job. Well, I assure you I do my job more than I do my full time job,” said McCullough.
Commissioner Jim Johnson said that he would like to see the county go to one road foreman where everybody does the same job throughout the county.
McCullough said he had been thinking on a plan and had jotted some thoughts down.
Johnson showed McCullough and Hightower what he had drawn up.
McCullough liked Johnson’s plan that showed the roles of the county administrator would be bridge inspections, building maintenance, transportation buses, planning and zoning , Linn County Park, the landfill, and the senior meals program.
McCullough asked Lamb what he thought.
Lamb said, “What you’ve got there to me really is listing more of a public works administrator position than a county administration – unless you’re going to get into human resources, payroll, and accounts payable.
I mean a lot of that kind of stuff goes to county administrators in most counties that have one but then you’re probably talking about a lot higher salary if you’re taking on all those duties too.
There’s a whole lot more duties that a county administrators could do than just that.”
McCullough said he though it was a good start.
Lamb said that human resources , payroll and accounts payable were something the commissioners need to work out if we’re going to look at going this direction.
Johnson asked if Lamb would give up employees to put somewhere else.
“That’s why we need to figure out what we are looking for instead of just going and grabbing something or try to hire somebody,” said Lamb.
McCullough again said he thought it was a good start. He said he felt like West was the county administrator because of all the departments he handles.
West said that when he got hired the discussion came up about all of the duties of the public works administrator. He said that he had asked that the county to hire someone familiar with counties to do a study. That person would also make recommendations about organizational charts and additional staffing needs.
West said, “I encourage you to reach out and look for assistance from someone who has reorganized a county and know how this structure works better than I do.
Lamb interjected that there were more things for the commissioners to keep in mind and that was how the Kansas Statute 19-3a stated what the procedure was to establish an office of a county administrator.
The commission could just make a resolution establishing and office of county administrator they could make a resolution to submit the questions to the voters about whether to hire a county administrator which would require a majority vote of the voters in the county; or if at least 5% of the qualified electors of the county submitted a petition, the commissioners could adopt a resolution establishing the office that would not be effective until it was approved by a majority of the voters of the county voting at and election.
Lamb said that the KSA 19-3a04 also outline the possible duties of a county administrator. This is what the statute says a county administrator does:
19-3a04. Powers and duties. The county administrator shall be the chief administrative officer of the county. Unless otherwise provided by the board of county commissioners, the county administrator shall carry out the following duties and responsibilities within the limits of and in conformance with the requirements of federal, state and county laws and policies:
(a) Attend all meetings of the board of county commissioners, and present proposed policies, programs and plans aimed at addressing overall county needs for review, revision and approval by the board;
(b) present an annual recommended operating budget, capital improvements program and long-range strategic plan for all county operations for review, revision and adoption by the board of county commissioners;
(c) identify and recommend individuals to the board of county commissioners for appointment to boards and commissions;
(d) recommend individuals to the board of county commissioners for appointment to offices for which the board is the appointing authority by law. Evaluate and recommend the compensation, suspension or dismissal of all such appointed administrative officers;
(e) coordinate and supervise the administrative operations of the departments of all officials appointed by the board of county commissioners. All officers and employees therein shall be administratively responsible to the county administrator;
(f) in conjunction with the board of county commissioners, prepare the meeting agenda of the board;
(g) coordinate the administrative services of county departments and agencies, offices of elected officials, advisory and governing boards appointed by the board of county commissioners. Provide technical assistance to such departments, offices, agencies and boards as needed;
(h) coordinate county programs and operations with other local governmental units, federal and state governments and other governmental and nongovernmental entities;
(i) supervise, evaluate and recommend the compensation and discipline of personnel of the board of county commissioners;
(j) execute contracts and other documents as approved by the board of county commissioners;
(k) approve the appointment, compensation, discipline and change in status of personnel in the departments of all officials appointed by the board of county commissioners. All employees affected by such decisions shall continue to have access to all appellate and other rights granted them by county personnel policies;
(l) monitor and provide regular reports to the board of county commissioners concerning adherence by county departments to the personnel, purchasing, budget, accounting and other administrative policies of the board; and
(m) perform such other duties as shall be lawfully delegated by the board of county commissioners.
“We can keep pushing it down the road. We can throw in every excuse not to do it or set down and get it figured out,” said McCullough.
Hightower asked how much it would cost the county.
McCullough said he though the first question is do we want to do it. And the second question is how do we want to do it?
Johnson said, I don’t mind reorganizing, but as far as growing government, that’s not what I’m here for. I mean we restructure the way we got our manpower bust as far as just putting a lot more people, that’s not my intention.”
Hightower said, “I’m in agreement with that. I don’t knowhow I can decide on whether I want it or not, Danny, without knowing what it is going to cost. How it is going to affect our budget?”
Johnson said, “If we had one boss and he answered directly to us that would that would take big amount or work off of Shaun’s job.”
“It’s not our plan to set up here and make a plan for the garages or for the barns.
It’s our job to make policy, not everyday activity. “So that’s the road supervisor’s job,” said McCullough.
After that, McCullough started talking about how the road graders were following each other. West explained that one was being trained.
West said that with a supervisor, the commission could find out how the supervisor wants to operate instead of working with three minds (commissioners), three foremen with West in the middle.
“We’re about 40 years behind the plan,” said McCullough.
McCullough then complained about the phone calls he was getting including ones with swearing.
Johnson said he wanted to start working on this.
Hightower said, “That’s the closest thing we’ve had to a plan, Danny.”
McCullough complained that Hightower wasn’t getting the kind of phone calls he was getting.
“So, it’s my fault that I treat my people with respect. Is that what you are telling me here?” asked Hightower.
“I guess that’s your ignorant way of taking what I just said, then sure take it how you . . . ,” said McCullough. “This is still going to take three months to figure out.”
“It’s not going to happen overnight. We can’t find a lawyer to come help us,” said McCullough.
“Because we ran the last one off?” said Hightower.
“Because whenever everybody’s not doing everything consistently throughout this board then yeah, you do. People do get ran off. People do stick up for themselves. I have self respect. When you’re doing something different than whatever I do, they expect or expect me to do, of course I am going to question it,” said McCullough.
“Do you want to get into that?” asked McCullough.
“What do you think I do different?” asked Hightower.
“You know exactly what I am talking about,” said McCullough.
“What are you talking about? Tell me,” said Hightower.
“If I had legal here I’d ask if I could and I’d probably, I would definitely let you know,” said McCullough. “Alright, let’s move on.”
After more discussion, it was decided that West would draw up several organizational charts for the commissioners to look at next week.
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