County government musical chairs

[Tonio]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32089-2003Apr4.html

Isn't this the third election where the new commissioners have cleaned house at the top levels of county government? I have no opinions on whether Al Lacer should be fired. I just don't like the idea of a spoils system. Theoretically, only the county administrator serves at the pleasure of the commissioners. I believe the other positions are merit positions.

 

[demsformd]

I don't see this as a spoils system but a way for McKay and his GOP coherts to develop a team that is predisposed to their ideas. The Dems did it the term before them and the GOPers did it before them. It happens on the state and federal level as well. So whatever, I just hope that the commissioners can make sure the county doesn't slip.

 

[alex]

The only problem I have with this is the cost of buying out contracts. These positions should all have a clause that they serve at the pleasure of the county commissioners with a set buy out amount if terminated. That amount should be set aside when the person is hired so it doesn't effect furture budgets.

Come on, the head of Public Works just had his contract renewed. How much is it going to cost the tax payers to get rid of him? Is this a fiscally responsible way to act?

 

[Tonio]

Dems, you have a point about the commissioners wanting staffers who will implement their ideas. Still, county government does lose continuity and experience in the process. I don't know if Ed Cox was a good county administrator, but he did survive for 20 years under both Democrat and Republican commissioners.

I do know that under the last three commisssioner boards, county government has seemed so chaotic. The turnover in county administrators is the main symptom. First we had Kachmar and his promotion of the MCI Systemhouse plan. And then we had Lacer and the lawsuit by Martin Fairclough.

 

[Tonio]

Originally posted by alex
The only problem I have with this is the cost of buying out contracts. These positions should all have a clause that they serve at the pleasure of the county commissioners with a set buy out amount if terminated. That amount should be set aside when the person is hired so it doesn't effect furture budgets.

I don't like contracts. I'm saying that every position below County Administrator should be a merit staffing position, with the wage scales written into the county code. "At the pleasure" just makes it easier for the commissioners to hire their sister's best friend's cousin.

 

[Oz]

Contracts should not extend more than 6 months beyond a commissioners term in office. The General Assembly was going to make that a law. Not sure if that ever made it out of committee in this session...

This BoCC has promised to voluntarily follow that limitation. (Made during a joint session with our Delegation in December.)

 

[Kain99]

Not to steal a term but....... "For Crap Sake" Oz, when are you running for office?

 

[Oz]

Why would I want to do that?