Traverse City Record-Eagle

Leelanau County

August 7, 2009

Leelanau to conduct candidate interviews

Leelanau doesn't have a permanent administrator

BY Sheri McWhirter

SUTTONS BAY -- Four candidates for Leelanau County's administrator job will be interviewed Tuesday.

Leelanau County has been without a permanent administrator since Jan. 1, when former Administrator David Gill retired from the post after six years. Officials thought they'd filled the job in May, but the man they hired backed out shortly before he was set to start.

Leelanau officials hope they catch a keeper this time.

The candidates include: Richard Eric Cline, former assistant city manager in Alpena; Randy Girard, Marquette Charter Township manager in Marquette; Fred Koning, senior appraiser in Muskegon County's equalization department and former administrator in Lake County; and Jeff Thornton, coordinator in Alpena County.

Interviews are set for 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday during a special meeting of the county Board of Commissioners at the county's Governmental Center, 8527 E. Government Center Drive in Suttons Bay Township. The session will be open to the public.

Public comments can be made before and after the interviews and citizens can fill out comment cards on the applicants, said Mary Tonneberger, board chairwoman.

The annual salary for a new administrator will be between $55,000 and $65,000.

"I think the key talent we're looking for is a strong understanding of the current economic situation in Michigan and how it leads to forecasting our own revenues on the local and state levels," Tonneberger said.

A new administrator also must be able to collaborate with other governmental units and involve county employees in decision-making, she said.

Commissioner Melinda Lautner said the county needs a competent manager and a good communicator.

"We're looking for a strong leader," Lautner said. "We want somebody who wants to be here."

Commissioners previously hired Robert Sobie, of Olivet, to start work on May 18 at a yearly salary of $72,000, but he changed his mind.

"Everyone was disappointed because we thought he was the right person for the job," Tonneberger said.

There were 27 applicants for the job during the first search and 40 applicants this time, she said.

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