The Daily Commercial opinion column below gives a good overview of the need for a new County Manager. The County has gone over a year with an interim County Manager, Sandy Minkoff - the County Attorney.
The County needs a take charge, action oriented leader - maybe our own version of John Wayne.
During that time, I think Minkoff has done a good job of stabilizing County operations, weeding out some weak people, and reducing staff due to smaller budgets.
However, Minkoff is an attorney, as the op-ed points out, not an Administrator. Also, during the last year, there have not been any inititatives by the County to fix economic issues, jobs issues, or the huge foreclosure problem.
A leader is needed. In Lake County, the only one that seems to be at the level needed (in my opinion) is Tavares's John Drury. Maybe that is why the Tavares City Council recently proposed raising his salary to the exact level of the County Manager. (But, they ended up only giving a $10k raise).
New Commissioner Leslie Campione had it right at last Tuesday's Board meeting when she suggested a headhunter be used to find strong candidates, AND that economic development status reports should be given to the Board every week, rather than NEVER.
However, my experience is that job searches are most effective in February and September when it is a change of seasons, after the holidays (or summer) when potential candidates are most open to change.
But, the selection of the headhunter could start now, and they could start developing contacts to find quality candidates who can make things happen in Lake County.
Otherwise, I may have to apply, and that thought might scare some of you. So, you have some choices Commissioners:
- put out ads and get resumes & weak prospects like you did the last time,
- select a local routine, budget skilled administrator who has no record of "think big" actions,
- kick back like the recent Board did, do nothing, and keep Sandy in his present position, thus avoid making a decision about how strong a new manager you want, or avoid progress. Anyone reading this column should start asking the continuing Board Commissioners when they will take action on County problems and hiring a manager. Ask it at Christmast parties, at Board public input and anywhere you find them (restrooms?).
- Appoint Don Magruder (Right Side of the Lake blog author) as interim County Manager. That should be exciting and could result in as much fun at Board meetings as when Anna Cowin was Schools Superintendent. Cowin is the original reason why I started THIS blog.
- spend $50k or more for a quality, name brand headhunter (not a retired, cut rate recruiter) who can find, educate and entice a great leader and manager from his existing job to move to Lake County (aka John Wayne), or
- hire ME, save $50k and get things rolling NOW to establish job programs & strategy, reduce fiscal fiascos I have documented here, improve economic development and foreclosure problems, rather than wait the 6-9 months before a newbie arrives. I will even work for 2/3 of the incumbent's current salary and only ask for a $10k severance deal.
Tomorrow is the rest of your election cycle, so maybe think what your legacy would be based upon the above options. By October, people will know your track record and people will start announcing to run against you if you don't take action, and show continuous action on improving the local economy, creating jobs and fixing the foreclosure mess. Remember, the local Tea Parties meet either weekly or every other week, and they already have set up committees to monitor your progress.
vj
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From the Daily Commercial HERE
Time to act on county manager
MAKE A DECISION: The new county commission has some big decisions to make, including hiring a manager.
Lake County still doesn't have a permanent county manager - after 13 months.
Sandy Minkoff continues to
In January, the board launched a search for another manager. In June, with a list of 26 potential candidates, the board abruptly ended its search.
County commissioners indicated in June that they wanted to delay the process of choosing a manager until January - that's now just six weeks away.
With an election pending, holding off on the hiring decision wasn't entirely a bad idea. But now that the board has two new faces - Leslie Campione and Sean Parks - it's time the board get serious about filling that position.
The manager directs so much of county business that delaying a decision any longer could adversely affect the county's economic future.
Commissioner Jimmy Conner has entertained the prospect of hiring Minkoff permanently for the post. But we believe Conner should take a step back from lobbying for a Minkoff appointment for several reasons.
Minkoff, a lawyer, has certainly demonstrated his fine legal acumen in his post as a county attorney. And he's done a good job of leading the commissioners through a challenging year financially.
But there are other things to consider.
Minkoff's background is legal, not administrative. The county needs a manager who can promote, develop and direct.
The ideal county manager would have a mixed bag of talents that should include the administrative skills Minkoff has exhibited, as well as strong salesmanship and marketing skills. Having a successful long-term track record in government management would also be a big plus.
The county has had two managers in the last five years - Bill Neron and Cindy Hall. Hall was terminated in October 2009. Neron quit in 2005 after a four-year stint.
Commissioners might do well to consider a military approach: Stand down, re-evaluate your options, and then move forward aggressively.
Lake County can no longer afford to conduct business as it has for the last four years.
To the new board members, it's time to fulfill your campaign promises. To the three incumbents, the 2012 elections are sooner than you think.
