Cook County Commissioners once again tackled the difficult question of how to proceed regarding a county administrator, turning to a consultant for assistance at the January 20 board meeting.
The board reviewed a potential job description for a new county administrator, one with fewer human resources (HR) duties. Auditor Braidy Powers explained that consultant David Unmacht of Springsted advised that typically county administrators are not involved in the day-to-day HR activities.
Commissioner Garry Gamble said in his discussion with the former county administrator, the late Jay Kieft, it became clear that the administrator’s role should be “more strategic versus tactical.”
However, commissioners noted that HR needs must still be met. Commissioner Ginny Storlie said the county planned for a salary for an administrator, but not a HR employee. “How will it impact our budget to have two people?” she asked.
Commissioner Heidi Doo-Kirk said the budget includes a salary for Aimee Luick in the Auditor’s Office. Luick is assisting with HR needs at this time, but plans to retire fairly soon.
As it did when former County Board Secretary and HR Director Janet Simonen retired, the county is considering restructuring staffing. Auditor Powers said at this time Luick is handling payroll, worker’s compensation and some other HR administrative duties.
Those tasks, combined with the duties that Simonen—and then Kieft—were handling, could make a full-time HR position.
Commissioner Jan Sivertson said, “I’m not really clear on this.”
Powers said when he talked to other counties many of them are in transition as well. He said some counties have a coordinator who serves as HR director; some contract with an attorney to handle HR duties.
Commissioner Gamble said he is comfortable hiring Springsted to assist. He said the biggest risk in not working with the consultant was not having the talented pool of applicants that Springsted has on file.
Commissioner Frank Moe asked how helpful Springsted had been in the previous hiring. Commissioner Doo-Kirk said very helpful. She pointed out that there were 28 applicants in the last hiring process.
Gamble noted that Unmacht was familiar with many candidates and gave recommendations that helped narrow the field.
Consulting with the consultant
Commissioners talked to Springsted’s Unmacht on the phone, asking how he thought the county should address the fact that Luick may retire, leaving HR duties for an administrator.
Unmacht said most administrators coming into a county where there was no HR person would understand that they would have to deal with it. “I think they’d be pleased that there will be some HR support eventually,” he said.
Commissioner Doo-Kirk asked Unmacht what he thought it would cost the county to have him recruit, screen and assist with interviews. “Do you see it going over $5,000?” she asked.
Unmacht said the typical process costs $15,000. However, much of the work done previously can be used again. “I don’t want to scare you. It will likely go over $5,000, but I don’t think it will go over $10,000,” said Unmacht.
Gamble said he would be comfortable with recruitment and screening at a cost of $2,000 to $3,000.
Unmacht suggested the county make its decision one step at a time. He suggested hiring his firm to recruit county administrator applicants at an expense not to exceed $3,000. “Then, when we have applicants, we can decide if you want to proceed.”
Moe noted that one of the primary concerns he has heard from his east end constituents is spending—in particular spending on consultants.
Unmacht said he understood, but replied, “It is difficult to just put an ad in the local paper and hope you get someone. You could do that. There is no wrong answer.”
However he said he is “out there in the marketplace.” Unmacht said he believes Moe’s constituents would be getting good value for their money.
Commissioner Sivertson made a motion then, seconded by Commissioner Storlie to hire Springsted to “tweak” the job description and to move ahead with the recruitment process at a cost not to exceed $3,000.
Moe voted no. “I’m not in favor of starting the process without knowing what we will ultimately be spending.”
His colleagues acknowledged his concern, but all voted in favor of proceeding with the consultant.
Land Use Guide Plan on hold
Moe introduced another topic that led to serious discussion. He proposed halting the work of the Comprehensive Land Use Guide Update Committee to allow for more public comment. He said he is concerned about the lack of participation in the east end of the county. He suggested holding town meetings in Colvill and Hovland.
Storlie said she would support this process, but asked who would conduct the meetings. Moe said he would host them. He said he wanted to ask east end residents if they want to develop a sub area plan such as those created for the West End townships. “If we can engage our residents sooner rather than later, that would be good,” he said.
Gamble asked if there was an urgent timeline in this process and Planning and Zoning Director Tim Nelson said no. “Any of the timelines we have set are self-imposed,” he answered.
Nelson said it is critical that citizens have a good understanding of the plan. “We take these documents and develop zoning ordinances from them…The comp plan is important in laying a foundation.”
Commissioner Doo-Kirk said there is representation from the east end on the committee. She said she was opposed to restarting the process, especially without talking to members of the planning committee. “I’m also not okay with no end date,” she said.
Moe said he would be comfortable with a motion to temporarily halt the committee’s work for no more than two months.
Gamble said he felt it was reasonable to revisit the land use planning in two months. The board agreed to revisit—and possibly to proceed with the process—at the March 17 board meeting. A motion carried to that effect, with Moe, Gamble and Storlie voting yes.
Commissioner Sivertson said, “I’m going to oppose because it’s detrimental to stop a large group of people working on something like this. I don’t know how you can stop the heart and the body goes on.”
Commissioners Doo-Kirk and Sivertson voted no.
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