During a meeting in Hailey on Monday, the Blaine County Commission named the county's special projects manager, Char Nelson, as interim county administrator.
Nelson will remain as special projects manager and will take on the additional responsibilities, which will mean working extra hours required for the interim position. Current Administrator Mike McNees has accepted a job with USA Track & Field and will be leaving his post by March 1.
USA Track & Field 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.
Nelson will serve as county administrator until a permanent replacement is found. For her extra work, she'll be paid an additional $480 during February while she trains with McNees and an extra $960 per month until the county finds a replacement.
"We're really excited to have you," County Commissioner Larry Schoen said.
Greg Prothman, founder and president of a Bellevue, Wash.,-based executive search firm, is leading the search effort for a replacement. He also led the effort that led to McNees' hiring in 2007.
Jason Kauffman: jkauffman@mtexpress.com