The Quad-City Times - News, Sports and more from the Quad Cities region or Iowa and Illinois

You are not logged in.
Login

Log in to qctimes.com
Email:
Password:
Remember my information.
Register
Quadsville
Site Help

Scott County gets new batch of administrator candidates

Font Size:

By Kurt Allemeier | Wednesday, July 09, 2008 |

Scott County received 52 applications in its second attempt to fill the county administrator position, 22 more applicants than during the first time through the process.

The application period ended Monday. The county is seeking to replace county administrator Ray Wierson, who is retiring at the end of the year.

The job posting received 775 views on the Web sites where it was posted. That was fewer than the 1,100 views received the first time when the position was listed on the county’s Web site, the Quad-City Times, Chicago Tribune and the Web sites of the Iowa State Association of Counties and International City Managers Association.

Mary Thee, Scott County human resources director, couldn’t offer an explanation for the increased number of candidates. Twelve candidates from the first search re-applied.

“Sometimes timing is everything,” she said.

The county is seeking a county administrator after being spurned by Mike Sullivan, Johnson County’s executive assistant to the board of supervisors. Sullivan was offered and conditionally accepted the county administrator position May 23, then backed out, citing family reasons, two weeks later.

The initial search cost the county $3,382.51, with $1,830.80 being paid out in travel expenses.

During that search, Sullivan was the only candidate identified. In March, the Scott County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution making applicants for the county administrator confidential under the exemption in the open records law.

A former assistant Scott County Attorney filed a lawsuit against the Board of Supervisors claiming the Board of Supervisors violated the Iowa Open Meetings Act. A hearing in the case is scheduled for Aug. 7.

The search committee, which includes all five supervisors, will meet Friday to whittle down the number of candidates to be interviewed. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for July 24.

Most of the applicants are from the Midwest, with 31 coming from the Quad-Cities area and 15 from within the region. Thee declined to identify any of the candidates.

Half of the candidates have advanced education degrees, Thee said. Ten applicants have a master’s degree in public administration, while 10 have a master’s degree in some other discipline. The board has indicated it wants an administrator with a master’s degree in public administration.

Eight applicants have more than 15 years of experience in government administration or management, and eight have more than 10 years of experience.

Kurt Allemeier can be contacted at (563) 383-2360 or kallemeier@qctimes.com.