Friday, January 23, 2009

County continues search for new administrator

Despite the economic downturn, county officials see position as worthwhile


By JASON KAUFFMAN
Express Staff Writer

County officials say they are moving as quickly as possible to find a replacement for outgoing Blaine County Administrator Mike McNees prior to his March 1 departure.

Blaine County Commissioner Larry Schoen said the commission is working to update its job description for the full-time position in anticipation of sending out notices for it.

"We need to get the advertising out," he said.

Blaine County officials announced McNees' surprising decision to accept a position as chief operating officer for USA Track & Field in mid-December. The organization is the national governing body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States.

In his new job, McNees will supervise the administration, operations and marketing departments and coordinate long-range planning for the organization.

Greg Prothman, founder and president of a Bellevue, Wash.,-based executive search firm, is leading the replacement effort. He also led the effort that resulted in McNees' hiring in 2007.

During that search, Prothman convinced the county to host a public meeting at which the final four candidates for the job met with local residents and were asked to speak to their qualifications for the highly visible position.

This time around, the county will likely not be holding such a meeting, but will hold interviews between the County Commission and candidates for the position.

"We can probably handle the interviews ourselves," he said. "The last time we did it, it was a brand new position."

Schoen said Prothman is advising the county to increase the salary for the position to reflect changes in the marketplace. The said the commission will discuss the request at one of its next meetings.

"Salaries have come up in the intervening two years," he said.

During the search that yielded McNees, the county advertised the salary for the position in a range from $95,000 to $130,000. Schoen said that based on McNees' previous experience, the county agreed to a $130,000 annual salary.

He said that despite the financial pinch Blaine County is now operating under, the administrator position remains a much-needed post at the county.

"There's no question that having a county administrator has professionalized and improved the services we provide," he said.

Jason Kauffman: jkauffman@mtexpress.com




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