County commission seeks temporary option until administrator can be replaced

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By Josh Sweigart, Staff Writer Updated 5:41 PM Monday, November 30, 2009

HAMILTON — 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,” said 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.”

Where the person comes from 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 also noted that they may take their time finding a replacement to help save the county money. Williams’ current salary is $107,393.

Williams announced his resignation this month, saying he’s leaving to take a management job with  a retail company. 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.

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Lower the pay scales in the County! First the Commissioners, and down the list.

gail
9:43 PM, 12/1/2009

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Curious,
The way government is designed, the commissioners are supposed to set policy. The administrator is to manage daily affairs, using the policy as guidance. This is similar to the board and CEO of a corporation. Unfortunately, the commissioners try to micromanage to the benefit of them and their friends.

Angrydog, I agree that these bozos are overpaid and corrupt. It's a part-time job, it should have part-time pay. Also expulsion & jail for illegal acts (voting on jobs for relatives?).

Craig
11:02 PM, 11/30/2009

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We are not paying them to do something...we are paying them to do nothing. As in...do nothing when they see no bid contracts go to political cronies...do nothing when they see nepotism influence fulfillment of job listings...do nothing when a supervisor is out of their office more than they are in it...The highest priority of the GOP is to fill these positions with people they "CAN" influence to do "NOTHING".

greatly concerned
3:31 PM, 11/30/2009

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Dixon seems to always be lurking around the Government Services Building, and he claims to have great business experience, so why doesn’t he fill the job. He could then get Rick Jones to be his assistant as well as serving as sheriff. With the two of them in charge everything would be just great, with them in charge they would be no one to complain about things not being great in county government.

Grandpa
3:26 PM, 11/30/2009

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Hey Greig! in case you dont know this, we the tax payer are sick and tired of paying these fools for doing nothing. Sounds to me like some of them are your friends. People need to vote them out.

angrydog
3:08 PM, 11/30/2009

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