TRAVERSE CITY — Residents can grill applicants for Grand Traverse County's top job, under a proposed process to select the next county administrator.
Finalists would undergo public questioning as part of the interview process, according to a proposal from Jen Seman, the county's human resources director who is in charge of the search to replace departing Administrator Dennis Aloia.
Finalists also would be interviewed by the entire county board, a panel of county department heads and elected officials, and a panel of community and business leaders.
The board will determine its final selection process when it meets Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Governmental Center. Several commissioners said they liked aspects of Semen's plan, but want to be more involved in the initial applicant screening process.
"For the entire county board not to be involved in the entire process from the very beginning is ludicrous," said Commissioner Christine Maxbauer.
The county is looking to replace Aloia, who is set to leave Feb. 15 for a similar position in Oregon. The county thus far received about 30 applications for the opening that's been posted about three weeks. The application deadline is Feb. 25.
Seman suggested that she rank applicants on a point system, based on qualifications set by the board. She would then select a committee of county officials to interview the top 15 ranked candidates. Seman left commissioners out of the initial interview because she believed they wanted to maintain applicant confidentiality as long as possible.
But board Chairman Larry Inman said the entire process will be open to the public.
Commissioners Ross Richardson and Rob Hentschel both said they're fine with Seman doing initial screening, but they plan to review all applications.
"I have a different perspective than a county employee and I just want to assure myself someone isn't being left out I think might do a good job," Hentschel said. "This is the person who is going to make the day-to-day choices; it's the single biggest decision we will make in this two-year election cycle."
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