Task Force to Commissioners: Hire a County Manager

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A task force charged with looking at ways to reorganize county government met with the Board of Lewis County Commissioners on Wednesday for the first time since its initial meetings began and presented a final recommendation of hiring a county manager at the beginning of 2018.

The official recommendation was to hire a manager by Jan. 1 for $100,000 to $125,000, not including benefits, without a decrease in pay for the three county commissioners, who have a base salary of about $80,000 each without considering benefits.

“We do clearly recommend that Lewis County appoint a professional county executive who is responsible for all appointed department heads that serve directly under you,” task force chairman Larry McGee said. “We recommend you find the money in the current budget, although we know that’s not easy.” 

By hiring a director to oversee day-to-day operations and manage department heads, commissioners would have more time to focus on bigger issues such as economic development.

“We see a county manager as someone that, yes, could certainly help us be more efficient, but can help the whole county be more effective, which is arguably more important,” McGee said. 

The position would also allow more continuity and institutional knowledge, especially during an election cycle, task force members said. 

The ideal candidate would not have an agenda, and would instead focus on the major goals and issues in the county. The task force recommended hiring a search agency, such as Prothman, which has been used by the county in the past. 

Once the person is hired, the task force recommended the individual undergo six-month reviews to ensure he or she is operating in an appropriate manner.

Lee Grose, chairman of the task force and a former county commissioner, said a manager would help make sure items are acted upon and do not slip through the cracks. He did raise a concern about creating a new position while many individuals in the county have not received raises. 

“That’s a struggle and something you have to deal with,” he said, adding the commissioners will have to decide if it's something they can afford to do at the time, while also stating he believes it is important. 

Ron Nilson, a citizen at the meeting, said he would like to see the position on a ballot so the voters could decide if they believe it is needed. 

“One more level of the government removes the voters and taxpayers from what’s going on,” he said. “It seems harder for them to maneuver through the system, so I’m hoping the commissioners will reject the idea of a manager. If not, then I hope they will put it before a vote of the people.”

Task force members did not agree with putting the position up for a vote largely because the general public does not have the knowledge or expertise needed to make the decision, they said. Grose said the commissioners are elected by the people, and so they are able to make those decisions with their constituents’ best interest in mind. 

Instead, task force members encouraged commissioners to discuss the new position with their staff and other elected officials. They also stated the commissioners could hold public meetings or town halls to gather input from citizens on the idea.

Commissioner Gary Stamper assured public input would be sought.



“I do care dearly about this, too,” he said. 

During the task force’s meetings, they spoke to a number of department heads and elected officials, the majority of which supported a manager position. 

Tony Briggs, a task force member, said in order for a manager to be successful, that individual would need the full support of the commission, with thoughtful planning, preparation and input from others in the county.

“This is a step we can take as a county to be better,” he said.

Prior to making its recommendation, the task force met for several months starting in April. They looked into changing the county structure to a charter county, but ultimately did not recommend that change which typically takes three times on the ballot in order to be successful.

They made it a point to focus on the question of “what is better,” and did not focus on current issues or problems since the task force’s collective management experience indicated there are always issues, problems and conflicts within any given organization. 

Twenty-one individuals were interviewed throughout the process, both internal and external to the county. 

McGee emphasized that the task force would not make the recommendation if they did not truly believe it would be a benefit. 

“We live here, we care about this place, this is our home,” McGee said. “We tried to all keep that in mind.” 

Commissioners did not make a decision at the Wednesday presentation. Commissioner Edna Fund said the board will schedule a meeting to discuss the recommendation on Monday. 

The task force was appointed by the commissioners after a tumultuous year that included a hostile work complaint against former Commissioner Bill Schulte, who did not seek re-election and was replaced by Bobby Jackson in the November election. The commissioners had clashed with Chehalis city government over the urban growth area and the Port of Centralia over plans for Centralia Station. The 911 Communications Center has faced a number of setbacks, with dispatchers taking a no confidence vote in then-interim manager Dave Anderson, who was later hired on a permanent basis without being asked about the vote. Earlier this year, The Chronicle reported on continued understaffing at the center, which was moved under the umbrella of the county’s emergency services department, led by former sheriff Steve Mansfield. Leaders in Centralia and Chehalis are now studying the possibility of creating their own 911 dispatch center. 

Commissioners Fund, Stamper and Jackson are now seeking to balance the county’s budget after several years of relying on reserves, including $1.9 million for this year. They’ve announced plans to end funding for the county’s senior centers and are now considering additional cuts to services. 

The commissioners were also earlier this year advised by the prosecutor’s office to change its policy on open meetings after reporting by The Chronicle. Prior to the change, the commissioners claimed to be in open session from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday at the courthouse. The changes require notice to the public on specific meetings as required by the state Open Public Meetings Act. 

The commissioners appointed the task force earlier this year after residents began meeting to discuss the possibility of a home rule charter, which would allow for the reorganization of county government by elected freeholders. A charter could result in a larger elected council with a professional manager similar to the arrangements in the city governments of Chehalis and Centralia, where councilors receive stipends rather than large salaries.