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Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > November > 27 > Entry
Should commissioners fill top job with insider or outsider?
With a budget crisis looming, Butler County commissioners say they’ll likely act next week to name a temporary replacement for outgoing county Administrator Tim Williams.
This person will help steer county government through the rest of the year, when commissioners are tasked with stitching together a 2010 budget that includes $6.6 million in cuts.
After that, commissioners say they’ll likely turn to a national search firm to “find the best of the best somewhere,” according to Commission President Donald Dixon.
“This is very critical and it’s a real important time for the county,” Dixon said. “We can set a new direction and we can reach for the best talent there is…to help us change directions to get where we need to go.”
Dixon said he would prefer someone from outside the county who can “step in and not have any ties to the past.”
Commissioner Gregory Jolivette, on the other hand, said he would be more likely to “give extra points” to “someone in Butler County that would know the terrain.”
“I think we have a number of good candidates within the organization to fill in on an interim basis,” Jolivette said. “I don’t believe we’re going to miss a beat in the short term, and hopefully in the long term we can find a diamond that can fit in and help lead the county and lead the commissioners.”
Whether the person comes from inside or outside Butler County isn’t as important to Commissioner Charles Furmon, “just as long as they have integrity, and they have experience, and the attributes we’re looking for.”
Furmon pointed out that they may take their time on finding a full-time replacement to help save the county money. Williams’ current salary is $107,393.
Williams announced his resignation earlier this month, saying he’s leaving to take a management job with a retail company north of Dayton. His last day is Dec. 11.
“The next month is going to be very interesting with the budget, trying to solve the budget crisis, and we’re going to miss Tim through that process,” Jolivette said.
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: County Commission
Comments
By not antoher roger reynolds
November 27, 2009 5:11 PM | Link to this
whatever the commissioners decide (internal or oustide hire) I hope they at least carry out a real search and interview process. do not make a joke of this hire like auditor roger reynolds did for another high paying position at the county. do not insult the public intelligence like reynolds just did.
By Bob Weber
November 27, 2009 6:17 PM | Link to this
A good way to look at this process is by examining the past. Remember the sham interviews that enabled Mike Fox to gain the Children’s Services position because he was “the best candidate.” Two of the current commissioners supported that hire. It’s a shame that the current county GOP leadership still ultimately operates by supporting the false ideal that the public can be fooled over and over again. Citizens are tired of the top highly compensated administrators having no apparent level of integrity and no rational ability to discern the difference between right and wrong. This internal hire will likely end up being another political insider payoff - without a doubt!
By Dix Chuck & Jolly
November 27, 2009 10:21 PM | Link to this
Who would want to work with these guys: no new ideas, no morals and you will be in charge of how much money we don’t have!
By snoopy
November 28, 2009 2:11 AM | Link to this
Come on Josh: Since when did what the voter’s would suggest matter to the commish??? They do what they want anyway, not what the voting public suggests. We ALL know what attributes Chucky boy looks for, glad to see him publicly announce that.
By greatly concerned
November 28, 2009 7:11 AM | Link to this
The only place the job will be listed is in the hallway of the GOP Headquarters. I am sure the best and brightest pass by it daily and we will get hundreds of qualified applicants. Of course, the successful applicant has already been determined behind closed doors.
By Bill
November 28, 2009 1:31 PM | Link to this
It’s safe to say Dixon, Jones and Piper already has picked someone from within one for their offices. National Search, didn’t they say they were going to do that after Conklin left?
By Slightly Right
November 29, 2009 7:07 AM | Link to this
Someone from the “Outside” would be an excellent idea. Giving “extra points” is a large part of the problems our County is trying to recover from now. A salary of $107,393 is a bargain price to restore honesty,integrity, and a newfound pride to a County that so badly needs it.
By Slightly Right
November 29, 2009 7:07 AM | Link to this
Someone from the “Outside” would be an excellent idea. Giving “extra points” is a large part of the problems our County is trying to recover from now. A salary of $107,393 is a bargain price to restore honesty,integrity, and a newfound pride to a County that so badly needs it.
By Bob Weber
November 29, 2009 9:26 AM | Link to this
We don’t need a national search firm for big dollar head hunters. A $100 ad would be sufficient in this economy. There are numerous capable people in Butler County who are not internally connected to the GOP who can perform the duties of county administrator. Wasn’t Mike Fox’s Children’s Services position a so called “national search.” Look at the result of that search as a direct example of what to expect from our current crop of commissioners. This mess amplifies the need for two of the commissioners to resign, retire and move on down the road. County citizens know the commissioner position is not about truly helping the citizens and creating a properly run county; no, it’s about helping yourself financially to a lavish county salary for a part-time position, and enjoying the hefty benefits and pension that comes with it for as long as you can stay in office and milk it to death or even swap political seats to keep it flowing! All Butler County elected positions should be two terms of 4 years and then you are out the proverbial door! A county-wide new policy of no double-dipping and no nepotism would be a great start too! It’s a pipe dream to think that the political landscape will ever change for the better in Butler County!
By cent21
November 29, 2009 6:59 PM | Link to this
Excellent idea. I will gladly pay for the $100 ad.
By The Poor Taxpayer
November 29, 2009 8:41 PM | Link to this
Chuck And Jolly, Do you have a relative that you would like to hire?
By Willis
November 30, 2009 11:57 AM | Link to this
How much in severance is Williams walking away with. Didn’t the commissioners agree to pay him all sick and vacation time on his departure?
By Watchout
November 30, 2009 12:48 PM | Link to this
Be prepared to watch Jolivette pick a crony to be the administrator who will be there solely to run his commissioner campaign behind the scenes.
By Bob Weber
November 30, 2009 1:33 PM | Link to this
And the aforementioned crony already works in the Butler County Auditor’s office? If that happens, it will be business as usual in Butler County. What a political farce!
By GOPER
November 30, 2009 3:29 PM | Link to this
Ok Bob, tell us who you would hire.
By Bob Weber
November 30, 2009 11:19 PM | Link to this
I would have to look at the list of applicants and go through a “real” interview process with the top three candidates. And not a so-called retired administrator from another public sector position looking to double-dip either! The public has had enough of the “we can’t find qualified people,” - that’s bull and always has been. How about a recent MPA grad from one of our local universities? That might be a simple plan!
By greatly concerned
December 2, 2009 9:17 AM | Link to this
Bob, the only problem with hiring a recent grad or someone not in the Butler County GOP good ole boys loop is that the new hire will not be versed in looking the other way when no bid contracts are let, or relatives are hired and promoted, etc.. It takes years to train someone to sacrifice their ethics.