Council initiates search process for new County Administrator
The Council moved into executive session to discuss the contractual framework and procurement process for hiring a search firm. Following the session, members voted to have staff compile a list of potential recruitment agencies to present for future consideration.
4 votes4 passed
The vote behind the headline
Approval for staff to solicit and compile a list of recruitment firms for the Administrator search:Staff was directed to gather a list of professional search agencies to assist with the administrator recruitment.
Unanimous · 7-0
▸detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner
Following their return to open session, the Council formalized their decision to begin the search for a new County Administrator by directing staff to compile a list of professional recruitment firms. These agencies, often referred to as search firms or headhunters, will be evaluated for their ability to identify and vet high-level candidates for the county's top executive role. This motion ensures that the Council has a curated set of options to consider at a future meeting. The move is intended to formalize the procurement process for professional services while maintaining momentum on filling the vacant position. Council members noted that this is a critical administrative step, and they plan to review specific performance measures and organizational charts at upcoming meetings to ensure the new hire is well-supported.
Move to enter Executive Session regarding personnel and contractual search matters:Council moved into a closed-door session to discuss the legal and contractual search for a new administrator.
Unanimous · 7-0
▸detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner
Council members voted to enter an executive session to discuss the specific contractual framework and procurement requirements needed to initiate a search for a new County Administrator. While Council member Jimmy Jones initially expressed reservations about using a closed session for process discussions, the body determined that the meeting qualified under state law regarding contractual and personnel matters. The session allowed members to review the necessary parameters for hiring a professional recruitment firm without publicly compromising potential contract negotiations. This action represents the first formal step in replacing the county's leadership following the departure of the previous administrator. No final votes were taken during this session, and the body returned to open proceedings to finalize their next steps.
Return to open session:Council concluded their private discussions and reconvened in the public meeting space.
Unanimous · 7-0
▸detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner
What this was about
Following the discussion on the administrative search process, the Council voted unanimously to exit the executive session and return to open session. This return to the public record is required under the Freedom of Information Act to ensure that any subsequent formal actions or votes are conducted transparently. No business was concluded behind closed doors; the purpose of the exit was to allow members to propose and vote on the next phase of the recruitment process in full view of the public and the meeting record.
Approval for staff to solicit and compile a list of recruitment firms for the Administrator search:Staff was directed to gather a list of professional search agencies to assist with the administrator recruitment.
Unanimous · 7-0
▸detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Julian Burns✓ Russell Brazell✓ Sammie Tucker Jr.✓ Ben Connell✓ Jimmy Jones✓ David Snodgrass✓ Tom Gardner
Following their return to open session, the Council formalized their decision to begin the search for a new County Administrator by directing staff to compile a list of professional recruitment firms. These agencies, often referred to as search firms or headhunters, will be evaluated for their ability to identify and vet high-level candidates for the county's top executive role. This motion ensures that the Council has a curated set of options to consider at a future meeting. The move is intended to formalize the procurement process for professional services while maintaining momentum on filling the vacant position. Council members noted that this is a critical administrative step, and they plan to review specific performance measures and organizational charts at upcoming meetings to ensure the new hire is well-supported.
With the discussion regarding the search for a new administrator concluded and the next steps established, Council voted to adjourn the meeting. Members were reminded of the upcoming budget work session and the regular council meeting scheduled for the following week, where the topic of an interim administrator will be formally placed on the agenda. The meeting concluded without further public comment or additional business items.
Interim Administrator: Council discussed the legal necessity under Home Rule to appoint an interim administrator. Members confirmed that the appointment of an interim candidate will be placed on the agenda for the following Tuesday meeting.
Support Materials: The Council noted that the job description, performance measures, and organizational chart for the Administrator position would be provided to all members for review in open session.
Public comment▸showhide
No public comments were recorded during this session.
Coming up▸showhide
Budget Meeting: Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 10:00 AM.
Regular Council Meeting: Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 5:30 PM, which will include discussion on the appointment of an interim County Administrator.
Independent summary, generated from the county's public video, not an official county communication.
How this recap was made: Prepared from the meeting's live-stream transcript. The county's official minutes (the verified vote record) will be cross-checked automatically once the county publishes them, often a couple of months later. This is an automated summary written by software (a neural-network summarizer working from the documents above). Rely on the official county record for anything important.
