Thursday, December 14, 2006

Placement of ad may foretell story

by Kenneth Lassiter

Another meeting chock full of executive sessions resulted in no change in the job status of suspended ambulance director Don Haynes but county commissioners did ready a classified ad for use in the search for a new emergency management director.

The first 90 minutes of Monday’s meeting went free of executive sessions but once they got started, commissioners racked up two hours and 25 minutes of closed session discussion with little to no action resulting from the sessions.

Commissioners met with Haynes, who was put on administrative leave with pay Nov. 13, for 15 minutes in executive session, as they have each week for the past several weeks. Once again, commissioners emerged into open session without any action regarding Haynes’ job status.

Commissioners did ready a classified ad that will run for the next three weeks in the Independent and Vindicator to call for applications for the emergency management director position Haynes resigned from in October.

The county is seeking applicants with a bachelor’s degree or three years of experience or more in a related field as a minimum requirement. The ad also states the applicant should have experience in a laundry list of areas from disaster response to weapons of mass destruction training. Applications are available at the county clerk’s office and the deadline for application is Jan. 5.

Commissioners had initially planned on asking for five years of experience rather than three for applicants but, after some discussion Monday, decided three years of experience would be an adequate minimum.

County Clerk Linda Buttron said the main question for commissioners was whether they had the ability to hire somebody who would need to learn on the job somewhat or needed somebody who would hit the ground running in the position. Christy said the county would need a person who can help catch up on paperwork and other responsibilities in the department.

In other business Monday, the commission:

• Reviewed and approved vouchers, tax change orders and notices to township boards for cereal malt beverage licenses.

• Heard an update from George Pogge, road and bridge superintendent. Pogge discussed the status of county bridge projects.

• Approved by consensus the purchase of a Chevrolet Colorado and a Chevy Trail Blazer from Ed Bozarth Chevrolet for the sheriff’s department. Undersheriff Jeff Herrig said the county would be getting rid of eight or nine vehicles by auction through the Purple Wave auction site. Christy recommended the department consider giving the two trucks from the group to the road and bridge department for use. Herrig said he would do so.

• Talked with John Rodecap of Perry regarding re-establishment of the ambulance advisory board. Commissioners said they would be interested in re-establishing the board.

• Heard an update from Eileen Filbert, health department director. Commissioners signed a letter of support for funding for the Jefferson County Medical Reserve Corps, which would be made up of willing medical officials who live in the county and who are willing to help in times of emergency as needed. Filbert also reported on sewer district updates.

• Met with extension agents Cindy Williams, David Hallauer and David Key. The commission received an update on various extension happenings.

• Met with Duanette Baker, geographic information systems technician, in executive session for 30 minutes to discuss issues of attorney-client privilege and non-elected personnel. County counselors Mike and Jan Hayes were also present in the session.

• Met with John Larrison of Grantville regarding taxes and maintenance on Detlor Road. • Met in executive session with Susan Newell, 911 director, and Jan Hayes for 30 minutes to discuss issues of non-elected personnel and attorney-client privilege.

• Approved publishing the amended budget to reflect greater-than-expected revenues received from non-tax sources in the general fund, road and bridge department, health department and ambulance department.

• Met with Scott Ribordy, information technology technician, and Jan Hayes in executive session for 20 minutes to discuss matters of attorney-client privilege.